San Gabriel Valley : Face-Lift for Police Building

Azusa’s Police Department building leaks when it rains. The air-conditioning seems to work only in the dead of winter, and the heat only on hot summer days.

“The biggest problem is the overcrowding,” Sgt. Samuel Fleming said. “People are stepping over each other. A lot of the equipment is ready for the junkyard.”

Trouble is, fixing it up would cost $2.5 million, and the city has little money to pay for the project--unless residents can stomach a big jump in their assessments.

The City Council is considering an increase in annual fire service fees from $79.20 per household to $168.20. The money from the fees would pay fire service costs and allow city officials to free up funds in the city’s general budget for the renovation. A $1.25-million grant from the city-owned utility company also would go toward construction.