Gibbons said that like the current year the MOJ proposed budget for 2011 is in the same level of 2010. He said that to maintain and minimize their operations, the agency has to cut its non-essential services.
Like the Bureau of Public Safety (BPS), Gibbons said instead of mobile patrol, police officers will intensify their foot patrol to save fuel as well as effective measures against crimes.
“Police sneak out into places which mobile patrol cars cannot be used. Crime suspects catch easily by foot patrol.” Gibbons said in an interview.
For the Marine Law Office, Gibbons also said that the PSS Remeiliik has reduced its surveillance operation by 50 percent..
He said instead of twice a month the patrol boat, it will conduct surveillance once a month.
Gibbons said this austerity measures will remain to stretch out the MOJ budget.
The proposed budget for FY 2011 is $54.2 million.
The House of Delegates Committee on Ways and Means concluded the series of public hearings last week.
President Johnson Toribiong’s financial package for FY 2011 proposes salary cuts for government officials and new form of taxes to raise additional revenues.
He also proposed the 25 percent cuts for the States block grant which is strongly opposed by the Governors.
