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The New York City Marathon may generate millions of dollars in economic activity for the city, but according to Police Commissioner Ray Kelly, it also costs about $3 million in police resources. On Tuesday, the commissioner defended at a City Council hearing a proposal to begin charging organizers for police expenses.
“It costs us a lot of money. It’s also on our most expensive day, a Sunday. So virtually every officer that’s assigned is on overtime, so it’s a heavy lift for the department,†said Kelly.
The fee would apply to all non-charitable sports events, like the Five-Boro Bike Tour and the New York City Triathlon, and police officials estimate it would bring in $3.5 million a year. Mayor Michael Bloomberg's administration has agreed to delay implementation until 2012.
It is just one way the New York City Police Department is dealing with budget cuts, Kelly told City Council members. The NYPD would not cut the number of uniformed officers but would eliminate 350 civilian positions. It would also scrap plans to rebuild four stationhouses: the 40th Precinct in the South Bronx, the 66th and 70th Precincts in Brooklyn and the 110th Precinct in Elmhurst, Queens, in order to save $120 million.
“I think everyone recognizes that we need new facilities, no question about that. But because of the financial environment we find ourselves in, they’ve been eliminated,†said Kelly.
During one sharp exchange, the police commissioner was also questioned about the NYPD’s use of resources. In particular, the emphasis on marijuana possession, which a new report says accounts for one of every seven arrests in New York City.
“According to the analysis, that’s about $75 million that we’re spending in arresting people for this low-level offense,†said Manhattan Councilwoman Melissa Mark-Viverito.
“If you think the law is not written correctly, then you should petition the state Legislature to change it,†Kelly responded.
Kelly was also asked about his name being floated recently by Senator Charles Schumer as a candidate to the be next director of the FBI. Kelly told City Council members he has no plans to go anywhere.
http://www.ny1.com/content/top_stori...generate-funds
The New York City Marathon may generate millions of dollars in economic activity for the city, but according to Police Commissioner Ray Kelly, it also costs about $3 million in police resources. On Tuesday, the commissioner defended at a City Council hearing a proposal to begin charging organizers for police expenses.
“It costs us a lot of money. It’s also on our most expensive day, a Sunday. So virtually every officer that’s assigned is on overtime, so it’s a heavy lift for the department,†said Kelly.
The fee would apply to all non-charitable sports events, like the Five-Boro Bike Tour and the New York City Triathlon, and police officials estimate it would bring in $3.5 million a year. Mayor Michael Bloomberg's administration has agreed to delay implementation until 2012.
It is just one way the New York City Police Department is dealing with budget cuts, Kelly told City Council members. The NYPD would not cut the number of uniformed officers but would eliminate 350 civilian positions. It would also scrap plans to rebuild four stationhouses: the 40th Precinct in the South Bronx, the 66th and 70th Precincts in Brooklyn and the 110th Precinct in Elmhurst, Queens, in order to save $120 million.
“I think everyone recognizes that we need new facilities, no question about that. But because of the financial environment we find ourselves in, they’ve been eliminated,†said Kelly.
During one sharp exchange, the police commissioner was also questioned about the NYPD’s use of resources. In particular, the emphasis on marijuana possession, which a new report says accounts for one of every seven arrests in New York City.
“According to the analysis, that’s about $75 million that we’re spending in arresting people for this low-level offense,†said Manhattan Councilwoman Melissa Mark-Viverito.
“If you think the law is not written correctly, then you should petition the state Legislature to change it,†Kelly responded.
Kelly was also asked about his name being floated recently by Senator Charles Schumer as a candidate to the be next director of the FBI. Kelly told City Council members he has no plans to go anywhere.
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