Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca is in talks with Bob Hope Airport officials about taking over public safety operations there, angering the airport's police union, it was reported today.

Airport officials are studying the costs of contracting with the Sheriff's Department, as well as seeking other ideas for policing the airport, which handles more than 5 million passengers a year, the Daily News reported.

Baca's discussions with airport officials were reported by sources familiar with the issue, according to the Daily News.

The discussions coincide with contract negotiations under way for six months with the 29-member Burbank Airport Police Officers Association. Members are seeking a 70 percent increase in salary and benefits over five years, airport officials told the Daily News.

Airport police, sworn officers who carry guns and have arresting power, currently earn $40,934 to $55,632 a year.

"This is apparently a scare tactic that the airport authority is using to try and intimidate the officers," Dieter Dammeier, an attorney for the airport police, told the Daily News.

"The Sheriff's Department is down 1,100 bodies. They don't have enough people to patrol their area, let alone other people's areas, right now. The (airport) officers are upset."

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