Ever wonder how much the police might spend buying drugs in undercover stings this year? Try about $30,000. Or how about money spent on rent for undercover stings? Try about $33,000.
By its nature, undercover work is not usually part of the public discussion in government. But its budget — or part of it anyway — is public record. The city council will vote Tuesday on Wichita’s annual narcotic seizure fund. It’s a $186,000 pot (no pun) of money that was collected by state, federal and local law enforcement after judges ruled against drug dealers and seized drug money and other possessions.
According to the council agenda report, Wichita’s fund breaks down like this for 2008:
- Undercover buy money - $30,000
- Undercover vehicle maintenance/operations - $30,000 (Example of that came Friday.)
- Undercover fuel - $42,504
- Undercover fleet replacements - $25,000
- Law enforcement training - $15,000
- Undercover rent - $33,000
- Annual audit - $3,000
- Contingency/fund reserve - $7,812.25
- Total - $186,316.25
2 Comments
This is ’shoestring’ money. 50+ investigations for less than $200,000. That is a great return on the tax investment. Many people don’t realize that law enforcement agencies are able to recoup many costs associated with drug investigations from the associated seizure of drug moneies and properties used to store or transport drugs if the case goes through Federal District Court. (I don’t know what the law in Kansas is regarding recoup of investigative costs.) Good work WPD!!! Imagine how much more effective the Narcotics Division might be with real funding. And don’t forget that we can’t even calculate the savings we have in prevention of associated crimes when drug dealers are taken off the streets for awhile.
How about more training!