Law enforcement veteran Michael Letts hopes other cities will learn from the California city’s mistake.
It wasn’t even a year ago when the West Hollywood City Council voted to cut four police officers from their force, replacing them with unarmed “security ambassadors” in an effort to keep crime from running rampant. Alas, that plan didn’t work – in the least.
Following months of robberies, assaults and other crimes within the city, the Council has reversed its decision, hiring for four positions within the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department, with more possibly to come.
Before the Council’s vote, one restaurant owner explained just how dire the situation has become in the city, following its decision last year. “Seeing my staff crying, coming to work and not being able to feel safe in the city, it makes me responsible to be here in front of you and ask you for help,” he said. In addition, several people have been robbed on city streets, including two by someone wielding an assault rifle.
Lauren Meister, one of the two Council members to oppose last year’s disastrous vote, noted in a statement, “I think everyone is seeing what I’ve stated before. The Ambassadors, while they provide beneficial services, are not a replacement for sworn personnel. In addition, I believe [L.A. County] Sheriff [Robert] Luna has had a positive impact on the department, as well as the relationship between the department and the city.”
Is this a mistake that could have easily been avoided? And given the increasing crime rate within a number of high-profile cities, is it something that other governments can learn from? Joining us now to discuss this further is Michael Letts, a law enforcement veteran with over 30 years of experience under his belt. Michael is currently President, Founder and CEO for InVest USA, an organization that provides bulletproof vests to police officers through various charitable groups and sponsorships. His expertise in all things police support will be useful in this matter.
Q&A:
- So what do you think West Hollywood’s Council was thinking when they first eliminated the police officer jobs last year? Were they trying to save money? Or was it something else?
- Did they not understand that “unarmed security ambassadors” wouldn’t be as effective as armed police officers trained to handle a criminal element? Why did they have so much displaced trust in these people?
- Now that they have reversed this decision, will West Hollywood be for the better? Or does it really depend on how many officers they hire to make up for their mistakes?
- Considering that a number of cities, including New York, Chicago and Seattle, are going through rising criminal activity at the moment, do you think they could learn something from West Hollywood’s decision? Will they have any choice but to hire police officers to make their citizens feel safe again?
- You’re the creator of InVest USA, an organization that provides bulletproof vests to police officers through various charitable groups and sponsorships. Tell us more about that, and why support for fellow officers is so important right now.
- Where can we learn more about InVest USA, and how those interested can help their fellow officers.
You can visit our official InVest USA website, and learn more on the official Invest USA Twitter account. You can also learn about my new initiative at RestoringJustice.US, where we discuss lawful issues surrounding citizens of the United States.
About Michael Letts:
Michael Letts is the Founder, President, and CEO of InVest USA, a national grassroots non-profit organization that is helping hundreds of communities provide thousands of bulletproof vests for their police forces through educational, public relations, sponsorship, and fundraising programs. He also has over 30 years of law enforcement experience under his belt, hence his pro-police stance for his brothers and sisters in blue. Those interested in learning more about Letts can visit his official website here.
CONTACT: Jerry McGlothlin at: geraldmcg@outlook.com or 919-437-0001.
