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Amid the budget drama at city hall, LA Weekly today points out a RAND report that was released last month. In part, the study found that "an approximately 10 percent expansion of the police force in Los Angeles, begun in 2005, would generate about $475 million in annual crime reduction benefits, substantially above the $125 million to $150 million annual cost of the officers." Basically, effective police forces save cities money because crime causes "lost productivity, medical expenses, and decreased quality of life," says the Weekly. Citywide, the force is losing 35 officers a month due to a hiring freeze mixed with retirement.
