Yorba Linda's cost for law enforcement, e-bike regulations viewed by City Council members

 Yorba Linda’s cost for law enforcement service by the Orange County Sheriff’s Department and the City Council’s direction for e-bike regulations enforcement merit attention this week.

Funding for city-wide policing by sheriff deputies for the fiscal year that began July 1 will total nearly $15.6 million, according to recent action by council members. That figure is less than last year’s total by $25,777, noted a report by Allison Estes, assistant to the city manager.

However, the cost for this year’s service could increase, based on action by the county Board of Supervisors regarding contract negotiations on salaries and benefits with the Association of Orange County Deputy Sheriffs.

“Any cost increase resulting from county labor negotiations will require the City Council to approve an amendment and an additional budget appropriation,” Estes told the council.

“The small decrease is attributable to lower retirement and workers’ compensation rates and adjustments to shared service allocations,” Estes added. One of the most recent additions to costs was a patrol vehicle mobile data computer at an annual price of $10,832, she said.

The county department has served the city since 2012, taking over after 42 years by the Brea Police Department. The county also provided contracted service after the city was incorporated in 1967 through 1970.

The current county contract, which runs through June 2030, provides the city with 43 positions plus 11.9 others shared with the county. Among Deputy II positions are 23 in patrol, two on motorcycle duty, two in community support and one school resource officer.

One updated contract provision involves personnel assigned to adjacent county territory operating from the city’s Arroyo Park substation, with the city receiving cross-coverage credits.

After lengthy discussion on e-bikes at a recent meeting, the council directed staff to implement targeted enforcement in coordination with the equestrian community to identify priority locations, continue public education and outreach efforts and explore messaging through handheld devices and other technology.

Staff also was directed to return later in the year with an updated report with enforcement statistics. Among locations suggested for targeted enforcement were high traffic areas, trail system, Town Center parking structure and Village Center.

One challenge to enforcement was identified as “riders fleeing deputies.” Other challenges include state regulations that classify e-bikes as bicycles, with local agencies having limited regulating authority beyond existing state law.

Current enforcement includes warnings, citations, impounding illegal e-bikes and arrests for evading an officer, according to the city’s chief of police services, Captain De Anne Wigginton.

A “ride ready pop-up” is set Aug. 5, 6 to 8 p.m., at the Community Center, and a “ready your ride” is set Aug. 29, 9 a.m. to noon, at City Hall.