$8 Million Expected for Law Agencies

Orange County is expected to receive $8.1 million from the Citizens Option for Public Safety program, known as COPS, recently approved by the state legislature. It allocates $100 million statewide to be used for law enforcement services.

Of those funds, 25% will go to the Orange County Sheriff’s Department for jail construction and the Orange County district attorney’s office, officials said. The remaining 75% will be dispersed among the county’s 32 cities and unincorporated communities.

The amount a government receives is based on population and works out to about $2.30 a person. The money is to be used as a supplement to existing programs.

Officials in two cities began making plans this week for how to spend the money. In Cypress, City Council members said they will seek public comment and hear recommendations from Police Chief Daryl Wicker.

“We won’t know what the proposed uses for the money will be until a public hearing on Sept. 23,” Mayor Walter K. Bowman said. The city expects to get $108,000 this year.

Gang- and crime-prevention programs are among approved uses for the money, Bowman said.

In Dana Point, officials said they expect to get about $85,000 in crime-fighting funds.

Lt. Paul Ratchford, Dana Point’s chief of police services, said he will recommend that the funds be used mostly for equipment and cars.

Dana Point’s City Council has set Sept. 24 to seek public comment on how to use the money.