ASG Treasurer Velega Savali says that there is enough money available to purchase four new police vehicles, per a request from Governor Togiola Tulafono which was submitted through proposed legislation to the Fono last month.
The Administration bill was submitted to the local Legislature for the first time earlier this year in March, but was later resubmitted accompanied by a August 9 letter from the Governor to the Fono.
Togiola wrote, “As you will agree, our police officers deserve our full support in making sure they are equipped with the necessary tools to fulfill their duty as peace officers. With the condition of the current fleet of patrol vehicles, this bill comes to you at a time when it is necessary for DPS to renew its vehicles in order to maintain continuous and efficient service to the community.”
Velega says that the money will come from a special account funded by $10 fees collected from traffic citations issued by the DPS.
Velega explained that the legislation to establish such an account - earmarked for the purchase and maintenance of police vehicles, traffic control devices, and traffic law enforcement and safety equipment - was enacted during the late Governor Tauese Sunia’s tenure but nothing was done immediately as no money was saved in the account until FY 2006.
(Velega took over as ASG Treasurer in 2005).
The purchase is estimated to cost $126,000 which Velega says is available at this time, as the account balance is reported to be more than $320,000
According to the bill, the four police vehicles will be purchased and outfitted through the U.S. General Services Administration.
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