News Room March 28, 2000 Oversight Hearing on Proposed FY2001 Budget (Cont.) Capital Budget Overview The Department's capital budget for FY 2001 includes $30 million in new funds. This budget will allow our Department to continue the aggressive program of facilities renovation and information technology upgrades that we began two years ago. It will also streamline our facilities management and reduce long-term rent costs. The capital budget includes full funding for the Department's IT plan. This will allow us to complete implementation of the Department's multi-year records management system, called PRIDE. In addition, the plan includes development of a state-of-the-art performance monitoring system. The capital budget will allow us to continue to make needed improvements in our district stations and other facilities. While recent renovations have focused on basic infrastructure improvements such as roofing, heating and air conditioning, and the like, future upgrades will address fire and life safety issues. New locks, sprinklers, fire alarms and sophisticated building access and security systems will be installed at various facilities. In addition, the FY 2001 capital budget includes funds for new or extensively renovated facilities for Fleet Management, Evidence Property, Mobile Crime and Special Operations. These new and upgraded facilities will improve not just the appearance but, more importantly, the productivity of these units. And by reducing rental properties from our inventory, the Department will save considerable sums of money in our operating budget. Finally, the capital budget includes funds to purchase a helicopter for use not only by the MPDC but also by other public safety agencies in the District. The helicopter will be a valuable law enforcement tool in open-air drug markets, water search-and-rescue operations, and the management of police pursuits, large-scale demonstrations and other events. We also intend to assist the Fire Department and the Emergency Management Agency with aerial support of their operations. And the helicopter will be invaluable in collecting GIS data for use by various District government agencies, as well as assisting in traffic flow analysis and road construction management. Making DC a Safer, More Livable City Those are the highlights of the Police Department's proposed operating and capital budgets for FY 2001. This budget allows us to increase our sworn officer ranks, so that we can continue putting more officers in the community to fight crime and establish stronger partnerships with the community. The budget also supports a variety of programmatic initiatives that will enhance and expand community policing in the District. And the budget will protect—and continue—those critical investments in infrastructure, training and technology that we have made in the last two years. It is these investments that have allowed us to achieve our recent success in reducing crime and restoring community confidence in its Police Department. In FY 2001, working even more closely with the community, the MPDC will continue to make the District of Columbia a safer, more livable city. Page 4 of 4       1  2  3  4