Saratoga Residents Lean Toward Sheriff as Oct. 7 Police Decision Nears

Saratoga residents filled a City Council town hall to weigh in on whether to keep the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office or switch to the Los Gatos-Monte Sereno Police Department. Most speakers urged the council to stay with the Sheriff, though a vocal minority backed Los Gatos. No vote was taken, and Mayor Chuck Page said the council will decide Oct. 7.

---

• Sheriff vs. Los Gatos: most speakers favored staying with the Sheriff despite steep cost increases
• Staff called 10-year cost charts "planning-level estimates," and residents questioned the math
• A municipal attorney criticized the proposed Los Gatos contract, citing no minimum staffing guarantees
• Councilmember Belal Aftab said the Sheriff never fulfilled the council's data requests
• Several residents said they would pay more, including through a possible ballot measure, to keep the Sheriff

---

Cost Fight: Whose Numbers Add Up?

Why it matters: Saratoga contracts out its policing. The cost of that contract has jumped, and the council must now choose a provider it will likely keep for years.

Where things stand: Mayor Chuck Page opened by saying the city is "evaluating long-term options for law enforcement services following a significant increase in the cost of contracting with the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office."

The flashpoint was a set of illustrative 10-year cost estimates comparing the two providers. One commenter said the percentages did not add up. Staff defended the projections as rough modeling, not firm forecasts.

"These are planning-level estimates," said Ryan Hinchman, Administrative Services Director. He explained that the figures are scenarios that build in contingency for transition costs, cost escalation and lease commitments.

Residents brought their own numbers:

• One commenter said Los Gatos' budget history shows roughly 9% annual cost growth.
• A Los Gatos resident questioned property-tax shares and called for fairness in compensation comparisons.
• A parent calculated the cost gap at about $29 per resident per year. At the lower service level of prior years, the parent put it at about $61 per resident per year. The parent also praised the school resource officer.

The other side: Several speakers said keeping the Sheriff is worth paying extra. One commenter offered to support a ballot measure to fund sheriff service.

"Don't step over dollars to pick up pennies," said a public commenter, who argued the Los Gatos savings are temporary.

Council questions: Both providers operate on full cost recovery, meaning each charges the city what the service actually costs. Councilmember Yan Zhao therefore asked staff where the projected Los Gatos savings come from. Councilmember Aftab asked staff for scrubbed 10-year cost histories.

What's next: Staff answers on cost histories and the source of the savings are due before the Oct. 7 decision.

---

Contract Fine Print: Who Controls Local Policing?

Why it matters: If the critics are right, Saratoga could switch providers and lose direct say over how many officers patrol its streets.

Where things stand: A public commenter who identified herself as a municipal attorney walked the council through her concerns about the proposed Los Gatos contract, which uses an "integrated service model." She argued that the contract:

• Contains no minimum staffing or patrol commitments
• Gives the police chief sole discretion over where officers are deployed
• Expressly disclaims a heightened duty of care

To make the last point, she read contract language stating that "nothing in this section shall be construed to create a contractual duty of care or heightened legal standard beyond that required by law."

She also questioned the contract's recruitment commitments. She asked whether the report-writing space Los Gatos would provide would replace a full substation.

Other commenters added more concerns. One said the contract offers no price guarantees and urged the council not to rush. Another, who supports the Sheriff, suggested writing sheriff auxiliary help with code compliance into whichever contract the city signs.

Council questions: Vice Mayor Tina Walia focused on whether any of the promises could be enforced. "Are these service levels actually contractual obligations, and what would be the remedies if these are not met?" she asked. Staff will answer before Oct. 7.

Decisions and stakeholder impacts: These were public comments and council questions, not legal findings. Still, they set the terms of the debate. For residents, the question is whether lower costs come with weaker guarantees. For Los Gatos, the question is whether it will accept firmer commitments.

---

Staffing and Response Times Divide Speakers

Why it matters: Councilmember Zhao cited survey results showing that fast emergency response is a top priority for residents. Critics noted the Los Gatos proposal includes no guaranteed response time.

Where things stand: Sheriff supporters argued the Los Gatos price reflects thinner coverage.

"Los Gatos only costs less because they're providing less staff," said a public commenter. The commenter estimated an average of one and a half officers on duty under Los Gatos, compared with two under the Sheriff, and also cited cost, response time and license plate reader (ALPR) cameras.

Other speakers raised related concerns:

• One commenter said he has seen no evidence Los Gatos can hire about 14 people and asked for a backup plan.
• Another said the Los Gatos headquarters is 17 minutes from the West Valley substation.
• A retired sheriff's deputy said Monte Sereno residents were poorly served after switching to Los Gatos.
• The president of the Saratoga Oaks HOA praised sheriff response times and blamed county overspending for the rising costs.

The other side: A minority of speakers argued Los Gatos offers a more community-based approach to policing.

A participating member of the Saratoga Ministerial Council said he would "give my full-hearted endorsement of moving towards Los Gatos-Monte Sereno police." He contrasted the Sheriff's hours-based model with Los Gatos' care program for welfare checks and its traffic enforcement.

Another commenter cited Los Gatos' "dynamic pricing" and nearby facility. The commander of the Los Gatos-Monte Sereno Disaster Aid Response Team described volunteer support that the Los Gatos chief can activate.

---

Aftab: The Sheriff Never Handed Over the Data

Why it matters: Without detailed data, the council cannot make an apples-to-apples comparison or confirm what Saratoga is paying for.

Where things stand: Responding to a question, Councilmember Aftab said the council spent a year requesting data on hours delivered, clearance rates (the share of cases solved) and staffing decisions.

"We never got any of those data requests fulfilled," Aftab said.

Aftab said the Sheriff directed the city's Los Gatos consultant to file a public records request instead. That request showed gaps in the data.

He also described the effect of a roughly $1 million service reduction the council made earlier. "We have one less officer actively patrolling in Saratoga than we normally do," Aftab said. He noted the loss is partly offset because the Sheriff positions an officer in nearby unincorporated areas.

The other side: Mayor Page added context. He said the extra motor deputy that had been part of Saratoga's service dated from around 2014. He also said mayors regularly meet with sheriff's captains.

One commenter urged the council to scrutinize the Sheriff's proposal just as closely as the Los Gatos offer.

---

No Delay: Oct. 7 Decision Stands

Where things stand: A commenter suggested leaving the choice to the next council. Mayor Page rejected that, saying delay is not feasible given the time and money already invested.

"We will be making a decision on October 7th," Page said.

What's next: Aftab outlined the likely sequence:

• Oct. 7: The council makes its decision.
• Oct. 21: If the council approves a contract, it could return on the consent calendar for the city manager to sign. The consent calendar is a group of routine items approved together without discussion.

One commenter objected that an amended contract should not go on the consent calendar. Page noted that any item can be pulled from consent for discussion.

If the council does not switch, the existing sheriff contract continues. Vice Mayor Walia and Councilmember Zhao listed questions they want staff to answer before Oct. 7. These cover contractual service levels, substation capabilities, cost histories and the source of the projected Los Gatos savings.

---

Minor Items

• Neighborhood traffic: The Glen Una neighborhood watch lead described speeding and stop-sign running and urged action before someone is hurt.
• Los Gatos oversight: A non-resident said the Los Gatos finance commission did not take up the contract as promised.

---

Looking Ahead

The City Council will decide on Saratoga's law enforcement provider on Oct. 7. If the council approves a new contract, it could return on Oct. 21 for final signing.