Politics & Government

SMC Supe Calls For More Police Funding

David Canepa is looking to tap into Measure K funds to boost police staffing and target domestic violence and theft.

President of San Mateo County’s Board of Supervisors David Canepa speaks to the media at a press conference on March 1, 2021 in East Palo Alto, Calif.
President of San Mateo County’s Board of Supervisors David Canepa speaks to the media at a press conference on March 1, 2021 in East Palo Alto, Calif. (Astrid Casimire/Bay City News, File)

REDWOOD CITY, CA — A San Mateo County official is seeking increased police funding for understaffed departments amid an alleged rise in domestic violence deaths as well as organized property, auto and retail thefts in the county.

San Mateo County Supervisor David J. Canepa scheduled a press conference at 11 a.m Monday at the Broadmoor Community Center, 501 87th St., Broadmoor/Daly City to discuss the rise in organized property, auto and retail thefts and domestic violence deaths in San Mateo County and the need to invest more in police services for departments that are understaffed.

Canepa, who represents the residents of unincorporated Broadmoor, will be joined by Broadmoor Police Chief Mike Connolly and members of the community.

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"As we see an uptick in organized retail theft and crimes against property and an increase in domestic violence deaths, the county needs to develop a rescue plan for local police departments with significant staffing shortages," Canepa said in a statement Sunday.

Canepa will be requesting $750,000 in Measure K funding for the Broadmoor Police Protection District, which has a staffing shortage due to increased costs to provide services.

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"We owe it to the voters of San Mateo County and Broadmoor to keep to our promise that when they passed Measure K in 2016, public safety would be a priority. Today, we start with under resourced Broadmoor Police Department and I'd like to see the county play a role in funding other departments as well," he said.

The Broadmoor Police Protection District is governed by a 3-member elected commission. The special district was formed in 1947 and operates as a sole entity without county governance. It is funded by property and special taxes from Broadmoor residents.

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