BUREAUCRACY WATCH : Space Cadets

Make no mistake about it, Los Angeles County officials can be a creative bunch. Supervisors found a way to have taxpayers pick up the $6-million tab to futilely fight a lawsuit that threatened their political futures.

Now the county, hurting for cash, has come up with a plan to raise money by renting out more county space to advertisers.

The county already allows paid messages at county-run beaches, most prominently displayed on beach trash cans and lifeguard trucks. There’s a reasonable argument that there’s nothing wrong with a plug for a radio station or a suntan lotion on county-owned property at the beach, particularly if the ads help pay for some much-needed public services.

County officials are now considering spreading the county’s rent-a-space policy to all departments. But we draw our line in the sand, so to speak, at the beach. It’s one thing for a high-tide sign to carry a product slogan, but it’s another thing for a burglar- alarm company to take over the sleeve of a county sheriff.

Granted, it could be a bonanza for local businesses. Bail-bond ads plastering the walls of holding cells? Attorneys’ names and numbers on county ambulances? Home restoration ads on fire trucks?

But as one fire captain said, “You put a Hershey bar sign on the back of my uniform and I wouldn’t feel too professional.” That about says it. County officials say taste would be considered before ads were approved. That should be a minimum consideration. The county ad campaign feels right just where it is--on the beach.