Less patrol cars for Fiscal 2000

Patrol car operations for Fiscal 2000 may be affected after the budget for car lease has been cut from $1.1 million to just over $800,000, according to the Department of Public Safety.

The Office of Budget and Management has also drastically reduced the department’s budget for fuel to $18,000 for FY 2000 from the current appropriation of $147,000. DPS burns approximately $13,000 worth of fuel every month.

Maintenance of patrol cars alone costs $50,000 a year. The leases for patrol cars will expire in December 1999.

With the increase in burglary incidents on the island, DPS needs to acquire more police cars to patrol the villages of Saipan, Tinian and Rota. Currently, patrol cars are running 13 to 16 hours rotation which takes a toll on the vehicles. Without proper maintenance and supplies to cover the wear and tear, DPS will have lesser vehicles on the street and more in the junk yard.

According to Clyde Norita, DPS assistant chief of the Office for Special Services, the plan to put more policemen in villages would help deter crimes since they would be working directly with members of the community.

DPS wants its current $14.3 million budget maintained for FY 2000, but the Budget Office has already earmarked $13.2 million, which is still higher than the $12.4 million spending limit implemented by the government in November last year to reflect the 13.4 percent across-the-board cut.

The plan to establish a fire station in Kagman and Marpi would need funding again since DPS would have to acquire ambulance and fire trucks aside from the additional personnel that will be assigned in the two areas.

DPS is merely asking that its budget for operation be maintained so that the department can efficiently carry out its functions.

The department will be able to hire additional 45 policemen after it received federal funding for its cops in villages project. However, this only covers their salaries and does not include the purchase of equipment, uniforms and overtime pay.

“I have faith in our legislative leaders and the Office of the Governor. I have faith in the people of the CNMI — that they will ensure funding to cover our operations,” said Norita.

DPS has also asked for an additional $800,000 to purchase and install a new Emergency 911 system for Saipan for a more reliable and efficient system in handling calls. The new system is a Computer Aid Dispatch, which can integrate with GTE Pacifica’s current telephone system.

Rep. Karl T. Reyes, chair of the House Ways and Means Committee, has recommended the purchase of vehicles since this will only cost $35,000 a month.