Norton to Seek Continuing Resolution Exception to Avoid Crippling Park Police- December 19, 2006

Norton to Seek Continuing Resolution Exception to Avoid Crippling Park Police
December 19, 2006

Washington, DC—Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today released the following statement in response to a letter from the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) on funding and staffing problems with the U.S. Park Police:

“FOP Chairman Jim Austin has written a letter to Chief Dwight Pettiford, but it is more appropriately addressed to Congress. Mr. Austin’s letter tells the astonishing story of congressional neglect of a police force that’s vital to the homeland security and public safety of the national capital region and other parts of the country. Although the indispensable Capitol Police have been extravagantly funded since 9/11, Park Police, with far greater territory and responsibility, are barely surviving. Congress granted a modest increase in the ’07 appropriation, but continuing resolution level funding will make matters much worse. I will seek an exception for the Park Police that I believe is necessary to keep the force from crippling. When Democrats assume control, the stepped up oversight that has been promised by all incoming committee chairs will surely examine the management and operations of the force and almost certainly will reveal the need to rebuild the Park Police, beginning with a steady stream of new funding.”