Activists plan public-safety rally

A non-partisan, grass-roots group will host a rally for public safety Tuesday at Costa Mesa City Hall.

Costa Mesans for Responsible Government wants to raise awareness about public safety issues, such as lower staffing levels at the Costa Mesa Police Department, “political acrimony” affecting officer recruitment and other citizen concerns, according to a statement from the group.

“The current staffing levels of the police force are down, and crime is up,” CM4RG President Robin Leffler said in the statement. “There are indications reported in the press, and from other sources, that the recruitment efforts are being negatively impacted by acrimony, litigation and the rhetoric being promoted by the men on our City Council.”

Members of the council majority, who pushed for reductions in staffing and in public employee compensation, have disagreed with the assertions regarding recruitment, saying police understand their goal of reining in pension liability and other reforms.

The rally is scheduled for 5 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall, 77 Fair Drive. More information is available at CM4RG.org.

— Jeremiah Dobruck

Twitter: @jeremiahdobruck