Funds to fight int’l. crimes still in limbo

It is not certain yet whether the Department of Public Safety stands to receive additional funding for FY 2001 to combat what it says as an increase in international crimes in the CNMI.

The House Ways and Means Committee will still need to identify other funding sources for the police than what has been made available under the governor’s budget proposal for the next fiscal year, according to its chairman.

“If we have the resources, we’ll concentrate on those things [needed by DPS] so that we can have a very tranquil and well-organized society,” Rep. Antonio M. Camacho told in an interview yesterday.

DPS Commissioner Charles W. Ingram earlier has appealed to the committee to raise its FY 2001 spending level by $3.6 million to $17.6 million to cope with the expected increase in police and fire personnel as well as replace obsolete equipment.

He wrote a letter to Mr. Camacho last month outlining the needs of his department, including $50,000 for the Criminal Intelligence Section which is composed of four units — international crimes, domestic crimes, drug trafficking and crime analysis.

“Due to the increase in international crimes in the CNMI, the CIS has increased assigned personnel from two to four,” the commissioner disclosed to the Ways and Means Committee.

“CIS is presently involved in several international cases. The crimes are being committed in our backyard,” added Mr. Ingram in the letter given to House members.

The request came just before the police began investigation into the murder of 33-year-old Hong Kong Chinese Kim Fai Tse who was shot dead last week by gunmen believed to be from organized crime syndicate Hong Kong Triad.

While the probe has yet to pinpoint any suspects, police has expressed concern on information about the alleged operation of organized crime syndicates on the island ever since police organizations in neighboring
Asian countries alerted DPS on these gangs.

CIS, particularly the crime analysis, provides information in understanding a series of related crimes, criminal networks, and analyzing the scope of patterns in a criminal activity — a tool significant in enhancing international cooperation in policing matter.

But Mr. Camacho said the DPS’ request for a budget hike is still under consideration by the committee as they have yet to decide how much money will be added to the initial $14 million set aside by the Tenorio administration for the department.

Asked if the committee is willing to support the department, he only said that they would, “should the committee find enough resources.”

The lawmaker added: “As soon as we come up with all the scenario on how much to appropriate to the department based on our budget limitations, we’ll try to give them.”

Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio has submitted to the Legislature for approval his proposed budget amounting to $217.25 million, almost half of which have been earmarked for the Public School System, Department of Public Health and DPS.

The committee, which began its budget deliberation last month, is expected to wrap up the review this month with hopes to pass it before the constitutionally-mandated deadline on September 30.