During a virtual town hall meeting called for residents of Ladera Heights and Altadena, Sheriff Alex Villanueva hoped to defuse the anger that surfaced with news he was closing the Marina Del Rey and Altadena sheriff stations.

Villanueva said his department needed to close the patrol stations effective July 1 in an effort to save $12.2 million to make up for budget cuts.

“The Sheriff’s Department must achieve the necessary cost savings and budget curtailments needed to address the Department’s deficit and the County’s revenue shortfall in a more transparent, collaborative, and democratic way without jeopardizing service to our communities.”

“Many thousands of your constituents are vehemently opposed to your proposal to close the Marina and Altadena stations in response to your department’s budget shortfall,” Wrote John Heath, Board president of the United Homeowner’s Association, representing residents in Marina Del Rey, Ladera Heights, Windsor Hills, and View Park.

“You allege that this shortfall is the result of rising operational costs and years of being underfunded by the Board of Supervisors, and you argue that the closure of these two stations will not adversely affect public safety and that our areas will receive the same coverage levels that we currently enjoy.