Santa Monica Police Chief James T. Butts Jr. announced that he is stepping down from his post this summer, having accepted a position to head up security for four Los Angeles County airports. While reports continue to show a decline in crime rates during his tenure, no city is without its problems. Pico violence. Petty theft. Street hustles. Recurring homelessness. Drug use.
The city is expected to launch a national search next month in the hopes of having a timely replacement for Butts.
So this week, Q-Line wants to know: What advice would you give the city’s new chief of police? What areas or issues would you like the new chief to focus on initially?
Call (310) 285-8106 before Friday at 5 p.m. and we’ll print your responses in the weekend edition.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on June 2, 2006. Read the original PDF.