Letter: Outsourcing San Carlos police is wrong

It almost seems as though city management "blames” the police department for the city deficit. During the last couple of budget meetings, the city manager and the administrative services director aggressively pursued the idea of outsourcing the police. They gave the City Council information that was completely one-sided — some of which was not completely accurate and much of which was not supported with any data. It was extremely convincing. During these meetings, none of the management team spoke on behalf of the police department to advise why we should not be outsourced. For this reason, it was an overwhelming sales job. 

Why is it when there is a large-scale project to be completed in San Carlos, the city management team puts together a "committee” or gets assistance using an outside consulting firm? This has been done with multiple projects in the past. If the city has such a great management team, why is it necessary to form committees or hire outside consulting firms at all; why not use the management team the city already has — they’re intelligent and extremely well paid. Obviously, committees are formed and outside consultants are hired so all the facts and issues can be checked thoroughly and brought forth so an informed decision can be made with any project. The city has used committees and consultants in the past, but not now. It seems as though they’re in a hurry to outsource their police department. For something of this scale, why are we only using the city management to look into this?

Why don’t we use an outside consulting firm, from the private sector, to check our budget problem? Let’s see if there is another option. Again, why is the management team in such a hurry to outsource?

The city management only brought forth two "paths” to solve this budget crisis. I don’t believe there are only two paths; Councilman Matt Grocott even brought up a third path which consisted of cutting all management salaries. Was this explored?

Outsourcing is wrong. This department is extremely efficient because of the strength our department offers: The camaraderie, motivation, training, dedication, supervision and overall philosophy of working hard. We are here specifically to serve the people of San Carlos.  Right now, and for some time, we have been the lowest paid in the county and have one of the lowest amount of officers per capita, but this hasn’t stopped us from making the most arrests and solving  more crimes then other cities our size. So again I ask, why get rid of a department that is extremely efficient?  Why is the management in a hurry?

Scott King

San Carlos