Funding for overtime pay for federally designated task force officers has been approved.

Palmdale, California—The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved funding to pay overtime for federally designated task force officers. This funding will help combat the rise in violent crime in northern L.A. County, which includes Palmdale, Lancaster, and Santa Clarita.

The NCSSTF is a collaborative, multi-agency initiative aimed at identifying and prosecuting criminal enterprise groups engaged in drug trafficking, money laundering, violent crimes-including murder, aggravated assault, and robbery-and gang-related activity. A key objective is the apprehension of dangerous fugitives where federal investigative interest exists. By coordinating efforts among federal, state, and local agencies, the NCSSTF enhances public safety and regional stability through strategic enforcement and prosecution.

In the northern region of the County-including Lancaster, Palmdale, and Santa Clarita-limited investigative resources have challenged efforts to manage rising violent crime. Lancaster, in particular, has experienced a surge, leading the County with 20 homicides since January 1, 2025. The NCSSTF significantly boosts the Department's ability to combat these trends through targeted, data-driven operations in high-crime areas.

The task force also strengthens investigative capacity to dismantle violent criminal networks and disrupt firearms trafficking into the region. With the flexibility to pursue cases at either the state or federal level, NCSSTF provides critical prosecutorial advantages. This coordinated approach enables law enforcement to more effectively convict and incarcerate dangerous offenders, increasing both community safety and economic stability.

The Department will provide 10 task force officers (TFOs) for participation in the

NCSSTF. Subject to the availability of funding and legislative authorization, the FBI will reimburse the Department the cost of overtime worked by non-federal NCSSTF personnel assigned full-time to the NCSSTF, provided overtime expenses were incurred as a result of NCSSTF-related duties, and subject to the provision and limitations set forth in a separate CRA to be executed in conjunction with this MOU. The total overtime reimbursed is not to exceed $22,155.25 per TFO for federal FY 2025.

Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger issued the following statement today, following the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors’ unanimous approval of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) supporting the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s participation in the Los Angeles County–North County Safe Streets Task Force:

“This partnership brings critical federal support to our local law enforcement efforts.By working hand-in-hand with our federal partners, we are expanding our capacity to respond to crime and ensuring that public safety remains a top priority. The residents and businesses I represent in North County deserve safe communities. I will continue consistently supporting collaborative approaches that leverage regional, state, and federal partnerships to enhance public safety and deliver effective results.”

About the Los Angeles County–North County Safe Streets Task Force

The Los Angeles County–North County Safe Streets Task Force (NCSSTF) focuses on enhancing coordination among local and federal law enforcement agencies to address violent crime and improve public safety throughout North County communities.

The MOU ensures that Los Angeles County can continue its active role in the task force without additional cost to local taxpayers, while benefiting from shared intelligence, coordinated operations, and increased enforcement resources. The approved MOU also allows for reimbursement of overtime salary costs associated with Sheriff’s Department personnel participating in the task force, which is funded by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.