could have an impact within the police department. Chief Luna explains, “Any additional funding that this police department would get would be (applied to) three specific areas. We would be looking at increasing some staffing, we would be looking at technology and maintaining the existing technology that we have, and we would look at training so that our workforce represents the best-trained employees that we can possibly have, and they have the best training, the best technology, and the best capabilities. That's where the one-cent sales tax could potentially help us. These are the needs that we have, and we have to figure out a way to pay for it.”
On the non-financial side of public safety, Chief Luna believes that there is a lot that citizens can do to make Long Beach a safe place for everyone. “About 70% of our crimes are preventable. When you leave your car, don't leave valuables in plain sight, and lock your car. I can't tell you how many people leave their valuables in their car, and don't lock it.”
Chief Luna cites a tried and true method for making neighborhoods safer. “The best way to prevent burglaries in a neighborhood is for people to join a neighborhood watch – come out, get to know each other, pay attention to their neighborhood, and watch each other's back. That's nothing new. You show me a neighborhood that's engaged and involved, and I'll show you a safe neighborhood. Go to a neighborhood where everybody wants to shut their doors and make it somebody else's problem, and I'll show you a neighborhood that's plagued with crime and quality of life issues.”
As in many cities in America today, hate crimes are top of mind in the police department. Chief Luna says, “I think when there's one hate crime, there's a problem. For us, in today's environment, when somebody says a hate crime has occurred, the hair on the back of my neck stands up, because even though we deal with murders and rapes, a hate crime touches us in a different way.” Last year, Long Beach recorded 15 hate crimes committed against African-Americans and members of the LGBT community.
And while the Jewish community has not experienced any reported hate crimes, Chief Luna points to the strong relationship between his department and the Anti-Defamation League, commenting, “The ADL is amazing. (Not only in) their ability to share information and make sure that their law enforcement partners are aware of it, but also in taking the steps to do extra training.”