Program faces challenges in current economy

EL MONTE - It's not a scene you might expect to see in a police station: an angry teen sits on a couch talking to a therapist in one room, in another, an off-duty officer packs food baskets for needy families, while across the hall a gang member talks to an officer about getting his tattoo removed.

But it is a scene you could find at the El Monte Police Community Services Station. And though not entirely conventional, police Chief Ken Weldon says the station's services have been key to reducing crime in El Monte.

The station's programs are so successful they serve as models across Southern California in a growing shift from criminal policing to community policing, according to Baldwin Park police Chief Lili Hadsell.

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Despite the asserted effectiveness of these programs, they may be the first on the chopping block as El Monte faces a $4 million budget shortfall and city agencies are facing major cuts, according to Weldon.

"Our first line of defense is radio calls - you have to have somebody on patrol and in the detectives bureau," Weldon said. "My hope is that we will have at least enough left to keep the town clean."

Officers were optimistic many of the programs will survive with grants or outside funding.

While many of the programs have value in themselves, they play a larger role in building trusting relationships between the public and the police.

"As you open doors for communication, you gain confidence and trust," Weldon said. "People are going to tell you things when they happen and that is how we solve crimes."

El Monte's community policing programs date back to the 1970s when the city struggled with eight gangs that had thousands of members.