Police Grant Could Preserve Positions

The Santa Barbara Police Department has applied for a federal grant to cover the costs of four officers. Currently, the department is looking at cutting five sworn positions – including that of beat coordinator and those who oversee the DARE and Police Activities League programs – as well as eight non-sworn posts – including a lab technician and animal control officer – in response to the city’s growing budget shortfall. In years past, the city had successfully competed for the same pot of federal funds, which paid for six sworn officers. The grant is designed to restore positions that have either been eliminated or are about to be. Any cuts to the department promise to be politically contentious