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UNDER-PATROLLED Pebble Beach will likely be getting extra cops to respond to traffic and vandalism problems, thanks to a decision by the board of the Pebble Beach Community Services District to get involved in law enforcement. “We know that with increased regular presence, we will see results,” said

Richard Andrews, general manager of the community services district.

Pebble Beach has had a rash of serious vandalism that’s gone on for months, including broken car windows, smashed mailboxes and graffiti. Residents want more security to deal with the vandals as well as speeders who take advantage of the Forest’s usually unpatrolled roads.

Options for beefing up law enforcement, currently handled in the private, exclusive community on a part-time basis by the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office and the California Highway Patrol, include assigning a full-time deputy to the Forest or paying the CHP or a private security firm for extra hours, Andrews said.

“It’s really at the board’s discretion how much they want to spend,” he said. “The services that we are looking at now wouldn’t run more than $150,000 to $200,000.”

Getting involved in the law enforcement business would mark a change in the role of the PBCSD, a quasi-government agency which currently provides fire protection and emergency medical services, maintains the sewers and contracts for garbage pickup.

Money for the extra law enforcement will be drawn from the part of the district’s budget usually used for infrastructure upgrades, Andrews said. The money comes from mostly from property taxes.

“We have negotiated a draft agreement [for extra patrols] with the sheriff’s office, assuming the board decides we want to contract with the sheriff,” he said. “The highway patrol has reviewed that agreement and said they could work under a similar one.”

The sheriff’s office acts as the Pebble Beach’s primary law enforcement, but cutbacks mean the Forest is not patrolled as much as higher-crime areas.

“The sheriff’s office has a limited staff,” Andrews said.

Although Pebble Beach is privately owned, the the company has given the county the authorization to set speed limits and determine traffic signage.

“We don’t anticipate taking on that responsibility,” he said.

The district must adopt an ordinance that outlines the type of services considered before extra security is actually put in place, Andrews said. And there are other minor hurdles because the PBCSD would be expanding its jurisdiction.

“We don’t have to go to a vote of the people, but it does have to go to the Local Agency Formation Commission of Monterey County,” said Rick Verbanec, president of the Del Monte Forest Property Owners, Pebble Beach’s homeowners association. “There is no objection to it and there is no issue. It should be a smooth process.”

If for some reason in the coming months there is considerable opposition to the idea of extra security, the proposal could go before voters.

Beefing up police presence stemmed from a survey the property owners association sent to Pebble Beach residents in October. The DMFPO also held a public meeting in January at which residents expressed frustration with the crime in their neighborhoods — which is still very low compared to Peninsula cities.

“Residents wanted more traffic enforcement and more help against vandalism,” Verbanec said. “Those are the two issues that came out of that.”

Vandalism has caused tens of thousands of dollars in damage in Pebble Beach. As recently as three weeks ago, vandals spray-painted swastikas on homes. The sheriff’s office increased its presence in Pebble Beach but the vandals, who may be participating in a game to see who can cause the most damage, have not been caught.

Residents will have to wait at least five months until more police can be put on patrol in the forest, Verbanec said.

“The PBCSD had to pass a resolution of intent to ask the Local Agency Formation Commission of Monterey County to take up the matter and grant us the authority,” he said. “Once LAFCO does this, the district can pass an ordinance to contract for the supplemental police services. We are telling people it is a drawn-out process.”

LAFCO is expected to consider an application to provide for the increased police services at its June 26 meeting.

If the PBCSD decides to contract exclusively with the sheriff’s office, deputies would enforce traffic laws more than they do now.

Currently, deputies can pull over vehicles for violations, but Andrews said the CHP provides most of the forest’s traffic enforcement.

Deputies would also need to undergo supplemental training to handle traffic enforcement, Andrews said.
If LAFCO approves the application, Andrews said additional police services could begin as soon as October or November.