Karen S. Kim
The Glendale Police Department is hoping the City Council will
have a generous heart and a giving hand Tuesday as it considers
donating money to the proposed police memorial.
Former Mayor Sheldon Baker, who is chairman of the citizens
fund-raising committee for the memorial, recently entreated the
council to donate at least $100,000 to the cause.
"I don't think anybody can express what this memorial means to the
men and women of the Police Department," he said Friday. "This
memorial says to them, we recognize the dangers you're in every time
you put on your uniform, climb in a car, get on a motorcycle or
whatever you do in the line of duty. I really hope the council will
recognize that and rise to the occasion."
The Glendale Police Department wants to construct a memorial
including a 12-foot bronze sculpture by artist M.L. Snowden and a
tribute to officers who have died in the line of duty.
The entire project is expected to cost between $500,000 and
$600,000. Fund-raising efforts have raked in about $250,000 so far.
"We're hoping whatever the amount is, that it gets approved by the
council," said Police Sgt. Lewie Guay, one of the board of directors
for the Police Officers Assn. "The faster we can raise the money we
can put toward the project, the faster the project can be done,
erected and serve as a symbol for the officers that have given their
lives for the community."
The Police Department is relying on receiving a $150,000 grant
available from the federal government through Rep. Adam Schiff's
(D-Glendale) Law Enforcement Tribute Act.
The council could opt to donate funds earned from certificates of
participation of the new police headquarters construction project or
through the Capital Improvement Project fund, according to a staff
report.
"Regardless of what the source is, I support this 100%,"
Councilman Gus Gomez said. "Police and firefighters put their lives
on the line everyday, and this is a small price to pay to recognize
their sacrifices."
