San Clemente Abuzz About Plan to Eliminate Police Dept. : Law enforcement: Councilwoman, city employees’ unions say they want residents to vote on the proposal to let the Sheriff’s Department take over duties in the city.

SAN CLEMENTE —  A proposal to have the County Sheriff’s Department take over policing in this city has residents abuzz like no other topic in recent years, officials said Saturday.

Councilwoman Candace Haggard said more than 50 people called her at home Saturday to express feelings both for and against the proposal, which would eliminate the San Clemente Police Department and save the financially strapped city an estimated $4 million during the first two years of a merger.

“I’ve never seen anything like it in six years,” said Haggard, who said she feels the decision is so controversial that residents should be allowed to vote on it.

“I personally think it’s a little out of line for five (council members) to decide something that will so deeply affect so many people,” she said.

About 30 members of the Peace Officers and City Employees associations voted late Friday to reject a proposal to have the city contract with the Sheriff’s Department and have additionally asked that the issue be placed on a ballot so the people most affected can decide, said dispatcher Robb Topolski, vice president of the San Clemente City Employees Assn.

“We just think it should be up to the people who live in San Clemente--we want to see it on the ballot,” said Topolski, who said about 48 people were eligible to participate in the vote, but many had prior engagements, including work.

Topolski declined to reveal the outcome of the vote, but said it was clearly in favor of opposing a takeover.

Haggard said she knew the proposal would create a flurry of public interest, but has been astounded by how much.

Haggard said she has not finished reading the 70-page report and declined to discuss her stance on the issue.

“The phone just hasn’t stopped. It’s running about two to one in favor of keeping the police force,” Haggard said.

“Normally, I feel very strongly that we are elected to make the decisions,” she said.

She added that “Even though it may look like we are trying to keep from making a tough one (in this case), I really believe it should go on a ballot, especially because of all the interest.”

Council members will discuss the proposal at a public hearing Wednesday. A vote is expected Feb. 17.

According to a report by the Sheriff’s Department made public Friday, street patrol would increase under such a plan.

Additionally, most of the San Clemente Police Department’s officers would be absorbed into the sheriff’s agency and sworn officers would receive pay increases of $10,000 to $14,000 from their current annual salaries.

But Topolski and others issued a statement Saturday taking issue with many of the report’s claims.

Opponents say overall services to city residents would ultimately be reduced, and say that a local police department can do the best job.

“No one is saying anything bad about the sheriff’s--they are a wonderful agency dedicated to law enforcement just as we are,” Topolski said.

“But we believe there is an inherent advantage to a smaller, locally based agency. If local control doesn’t mean anything, there wouldn’t be cities or even states.”

There is also no guarantee that all city employees will be hired by the Sheriff’s Department, Topolski said.

“We think that if people learn the truth about this whole thing, they’ll be against it,” he said.