Police chiefs across Ventura County are reminding state and federal lawmakers that cutting the budgets of local police departments during a recession may cost taxpayers more in the end.

The Ventura County Law Enforcement Coordinating Committee—comprising the district attorney, sheriff, California Highway Patrol captain and police chiefs of Santa Paula, Port Hueneme, Ventura and Oxnard—met several months ago to discuss how to maintain a high level of public safety in the face of a recession. The committee has recently issued a statement reminding local, state and federal officials of the need to keep public safety a priority when making budget cuts.

The crime rate in Ventura County is half that of the state average and cannot be taken for granted, the group said in a written statement last month, noting that the "economic decline must not . . . be allowed to become a crisis of public safety."

The group doesn't want prosecutors or police officers laid off and asked policymakers to remember that crime rates rise when economies sour.

The committee of police officials pointed out, for example, that with every percentage that foreclosure rates increase, violent crime rises more than 2 percent.

It's likely departments throughout the state, including those in Ventura County, will have fewer officers, however.

"We very well could have reductions in the department," Ventura County Sheriff Bob Brooks said recently.

Rank-and-file deputies have already noticed that the department isn't replacing retiring peace officers as quickly as in previous years.

Because county sales tax revenue is down, the sheriff's department could lose as much as $10 million next fiscal year, Brooks said. In addition, the county projects a loss of $11 million in property tax revenue. The department is sure to feel the pain from that loss, too, because 60 percent of those funds goes to public safety.

"It's a steep, unprecedented loss," said Marty Robinson, county chief executive. For the first time, the county expects a negative loss, 4.5 to 4.9, in property tax revenue compared to last year. The lowest amount of revenue the county has seen from property tax was a 1 percent increase, she said.

The sheriff's department may have to cut 77 positions, 63 of them deputies, Brooks said.

Timing will dictate how the cuts will be made. If cuts must be made immediately, the department may have to lay off 60 to 70 people; if it can be done over the year, the department can likely meet its reduced budget through attrition, he said.

Also, a federal ruling expected to order the release of more than 50,000 state prisoners over the next several years will further strain law enforcement resources. The move will send Ventura County 1,700 new parolees, the committee said.

Factor in the 66 percent rate of relapse for convicted felons, and Ventura County is likely to see 1,100 more arrests, prosecutions and inmates in already overcrowded facilities, the committee said in its report.

The agencies have been trying to cut costs and work more efficiently by forming regional task forces that investigate narcotics violations, auto theft and high-tech crimes.

Other cost-cutting measures include making better use of technology, reducing officer overtime, enlisting local experts and facilities for annual training and collaborating on grants. The law enforcement officials say they may also combine largescale buying and privatize maintenance of fleet vehicles.

"Maintaining public safety in these trying economic times must continue to be a priority among citizens and governing officials," the committee said.