Our Excellent Police and Fire Departments Need Assistance From Us. Public Safety is the responsiblity of us all.
As the Chair of the National League of Cities Public Safety Policy Committee, I have had the opportunity to testify before the House Judiciary Committee on numerous occasions. I have met with the U.S. Attorney General, Janet Reno. The discussions centered around local government public safety agency needs regarding equipment, personnel, and monetary resources. The resounding theme however, was the success and community embracing of the concept of Community Policing.
We have to assist our officers in this endeavor as we see criminal acts occurring, truancy, and other abberrant behavior. There can never be enough officers on the streets to cover each and every act, therefore the use of technology , including the use of traffic enforcement cameras must be provided to deter red light and stop sigh runners. These technological advances can be used around schools as well to make the boundaries safer for student crossings and movements.
I will fight at the national level for firefighter funding through the federal government. Most programs address police needs. But fire service needs resources for such equipment as the IRIS Systems which uses infrared technology to immediately identify persons in burning buildings, thus increasing the safety for both the firefighter and the victim. I am commited to insuring that our public safety people who risk their lives daily, have the BEST.
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