Duluth, GA - "Ask the Chief"

This is the first in a series of upcoming topics regarding the City Of Duluth.

"Ask the Chief" - questions are submitted to the Chief of Police in Duluth -

"Why does the police department have so much equipment and how was it paid for/"

The police department's budget is closely scrutinized the the Duluth City Council and must be approved before any purchases are made.

In 2003, the police department applied for a grant through the Department of Homeland Security for a Mobile Command Post.  The grant was awarded in the amount of $267,000 - no city funds were used to purchase this Mobile Command Post which is a self contained vehicle designed to move into an area where a disaster has occurred and temporarily establish an emergency communication hub for law enforcement and medical emergency services.

A Duluth Police officer was assigned to the FBI Drug Task Force in 2001.  During an investigation, his unit seized over $3,000,000 in cash.  In 2003, the money was forfeited by the Federal Courts and turned over to the U. S. Department of Justice.  The seized money was divided up between the FBI and each agency that took part in the investigation.  The City of Duluth received $860,000.  This money was used to purchase a Judgmental Shooting Simulator which is used not only by the City of Duluth but by other law enforcement agencies to train officers in the use of force while under stress.

A Dodge Sprinter Prisoner Transport Van was also purchased with seized drug funds in 2004. This van is used to transport prisoners to and from the Gwinnett County Jail on a daily basis.

Stay tuned for next months questions in "Ask the Chief"

Deb Kirkbride

Century 21 Findley

2862 Buford Hwy.

Duluth, GA  30096

770-476-5238

www.debsellsfast.com