‘War on ice will be long, dangerous, expensive’

A campaign to minimize—if not eradicate—the proliferation of methamphetamine or “ice” will be “long, dangerous, and expensive.”

This is according to Department of Public Safety Commissioner James C. Deleon Guerrero during a budget hearing at the Senate chamber on Capital Hill yesterday.

A visibly emotional Deleon Guerrero again pleaded to lawmakers to increase his department’s budget, which he said will allow the DPS to properly carry out its duties.

He, along with other senior officers of the DPS, faced member of the Senate Committee on Fiscal Affairs chaired by Sen. Jude U. Hofschneider (R-Tinian).

The DPS has requested a budget of $7.2 million, which is way higher than the administration’s proposal of $4.5 million.

“The war on ice is long, dangerous, and expensive,” Deleon Guerrero said, stressing that the DPS would need more training, more people, and dedicated legal counsel.

The police chief said “ice” is on the DPS’ top list of priorities, along with preparations for a “booming” tourism industry, and preparations for a soon-to-emerge gaming industry, highlighted by the opening of Saipan’s first casino in Garapan.

Deleon Guerrero said the DPS needs to have the necessary staff, the necessary expertise to deal with all the developments happening in the CNMI.

“I can’t work with (a budget of) $4.5 million,” Deleon Guerrero told lawmakers bluntly, when asked if he has a “Plan B” should the DPS fail to get its $7.2 million budget.

The police chief’s budget request included allocations for 20 more police officers, a dedicated legal counsel, and a counselor.

Currently, the DPS “shares” a legal counsel provided by the Attorney General’s Office, with the Board of Parole.

Deleon Guerrero specifically cited the legal counsel’s role of updating the DPS’ employee handbook, which has been in use since 1985.

“The DPS is perhaps the most liability prone agency in the CNMI. The government has to deal with costly settlements,” he said, adding that this concern can be directly addressed by an updated handbook.

‘Eye-opener’

Hofschneider, meanwhile said “it was an eye-opener” after hearing the police chief’s recommendations and his report on the current state of the DPS.

“We are trying to get fund sources outside the general appropriations that we can tap into, so that we will be able to come up with a more clear budget for DPS,” he said.

Back in June, Deleon Guerrero practically begged lawmakers to give his department the necessary budge.

“I’m not just asking, I’m begging,” Deleon Guerrero said.

In the budget presentation, the DPS said it is earmarking a big chunk of the budget, about $5.1 million, for personnel, and $1.6 million for operations.