With the Block by Block security ambassadors’ contract expiring next month, the city’s Community Safety Division revealed Monday night that they are exploring the idea of creating a “community safety officer” program and are researching such programs in nearby jurisdictions.
A community safety officer (CSO) is a role typically found within municipal or regional safety programs designed to bridge the gap between the community and formal law enforcement agencies.
CSOs often engage in activities that do not involve traditional law enforcement, such as mediating minor disputes, providing community education on safety topics and conducting safety audits. These officers might also work on issues like homelessness, mental health, and youth services, providing referrals and support rather than punitive measures.
In some jurisdictions, CSOs are granted limited enforcement powers. These might include issuing citations for low-level offenses, performing welfare checks or handling non-violent incidents. The scope of these powers is typically less than those granted to police officers, focusing on community relations and minor infractions.
CSOs often coordinate with various social services and law enforcement agencies to address community issues holistically. This includes working with organizations that deal with public health, domestic violence, substance abuse, and poverty.
The role would seem to overlap with the purview of the Block by Block security ambassadors, the main difference being that the CSOs would be employed directly by the city.
The Community Safety Division is overseen by Community Safety Director Danny Rivas.
City Hall has unsuccessfully pursued the establishment of in-house law enforcement in the form of a West Hollywood Police Department on several occasions since the city’s founding in 1984.
The only change that needs to be made is firing the director in charge of public safety for incompetence. Having our city as a test subject is not working. Hire more sheriff’s instead of hiring paid witnesses that can do absolutely nothing in case of emergency. If block by block is not good enough for Councilmember Shyne it’s not good enough for any of us.
Legal battle begins between West Hollywood and its mayor, Sepi Shyne – WEHOonline.com
What?? The contract for the Block By Block ambassadors is expiring? After reading about the uselessness of these ambassadors, it might be time to say goodbye to these people.
The CSO concept sounds like a better solution.A CSO with limited enforcement powers would be better as they can act immediately on the scene instead of just standing around waiting for deputies to arrive.
“Limited enforcement.”
Seems to me that standing around might work well here also.
Hard to tell with the limited description.
Anything but hiring more police. The answer is more active policing and zero tolerance for lawlessness.
Seems reasonable except for the incredible vagueness of the description. Keep cops away from mental crises or issues, traffic stops, poverty, & general welfare issues.