DATE: July 23, 2002
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBJECT: Honoring Law Enforcement and Public Safety Officers
SUMMARY
Approval of the following recommendations will demonstrate this Board of Supervisors’ commitment to law enforcement and public safety officers who have been injured or killed in the line of duty.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Chairman Ron Roberts and Vice Chairman Greg Cox:
- Direct the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) to draft a letter for the Chairman’s signature in support of H.R. 2624 (Schiff), the Law Enforcement Tribute Act and S. 2179 (Carnahan).
- Direct the CAO to draft a letter for the Chairman’s signature to each member of the San Diego delegation urging their support for the Law Enforcement Tribute Act.
- Direct the CAO and Washington representative to advocate for H.R. 2624 and S. 2179 or similar legislation.
- Direct the CAO to pursue opportunities for grant funding to develop a permanent tribute in San Diego County upon passage of these bills.
- Direct the CAO to explore the feasibility of including a permanent tribute to law enforcement and public safety officers in the County Administration Center (CAC) Master Plan for the Waterfront Park.
Fiscal Impact:
There are no fiscal impacts associated with these recommendations.
BACKGROUND:
More than 700,000 men and women serve in law enforcement and public safety capacities across this country. Nationwide, 51 law enforcement officers were killed in the line of duty in 2000, according to statistics released by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
“A permanent tribute is a powerful means of honoring the men and women who have served our Nation with distinction. However, many law enforcement and public safety agencies lack the resources to honor their fallen colleagues (H.R. 2624).”
Based on these facts, H.R. 2624 (Schiff), the Law Enforcement Tribute Act and its companion bill S. 2179 seek to remedy the fiscal constraints associated with establishing permanent tributes to the men and women of law enforcement and public safety.
Approval of the recommendations today will demonstrate this Board of Supervisors’ commitment to law enforcement and public safety officers who have been injured or killed in the line of duty and will include exploring the concept of a permanent tribute in the master planning efforts for the CAC Waterfront Park.
The CAC Waterfront Park Master Plan currently includes “garden rooms” that would consist of dense vegetation and could accommodate various organized activities including: weddings, holiday celebrations, music events as well as more passive activities. The inclusion of a permanent tribute to law enforcement and public safety officers would be very appropriate option for the garden room area of the park.
If the Law Enforcement Tribute Act is realized, grants up to $150,000 will be available to state and local jurisdictions. Included in the proposed legislation is a non-Federal match of 50 percent of the program cost. This match could be met in a variety of ways if the legislation passes and a grant proposal is successful.
In both our National and State Capitols, law enforcement memorials are some of the most spectacular attractions in each city. The Washington D.C. Memorial represents more than 14,000 fallen law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty and receives thousands of visitors every year. Locally in our State’s Capitol, a towering bronze statue stands outside the Governor’s office and portrays over 1,200 peace officers that have died in the line of duty since California became a state in 1850. The men and women who make the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty in San Diego County deserve a permanent tribute that accurately demonstrates our gratitude for their service and sacrifice.
We strongly urge your support!
Respectfully submitted,
RON ROBERTS
Chairman
GREG COX
Vice Chairman