I am gravely concerned that the City Council's Budget and Finance Committee approved a proposal late today that calls for an end to police hiring beginning July 1, 2009.

While I appreciate the severity of the city's financial situation and the difficult decisions city council members will be forced to make, it is shortsighted to consider stopping all police hiring, including hiring to replace retiring LAPD officers.  Public safety should never be sacrificed. 

If the entire city council approves this proposal, there is a strong potential that the eight straight years of crime decreases the LAPD has worked so hard to achieve, could come to an end.

The Department has proven that cops count, police matter.  Sufficiently resourced, we can and do save lives and make the city of Los Angeles safer.