'Nice to Have' Police Services Might be Swiped from LAPD's Budget

The city budget crisis continues to potentially affect the LAPD. One idea, in order to keep officers on the street handling critical situations, is to stop some services like having officers respond to damage-only vehicle collisions, nighttime front desk officers and timely police reports. "In the end, the way the public will feel it, there will be some reduced 'nice-to-have' services by the Los Angeles Police Department,'' Chief Charlie Beck said, according to the LA Weekly.

"Eliminating a front-desk presence seems like a dicey proposition," gaged Dennis Romero at the Weekly. "The department has touted its front-desk areas as safety zones for people seeking to use ATMs and for children who feel they're in danger."

The LAPD is $80 million over budget while the city's deficit is running $222 million.