Introduction
This report aims to give justifications for FY 2021 budget increment for the department of security and counterterrorism, which is one of the divisions of New York City Transit agency. Due to covid-19 pandemic, New York City is experiencing arise in insecurity since some unemployed citizens have resorted to robbery, violence, and terrorist acts. Security and Counterterrorism division is tasked with ensuring security and safety of commuters and MTA workers in the subways. As assistance director of Administration, Planning and Finance, we have submitted our budget to the New York City Transit agency with reasons to support our claims.
Justifications for Budget Increment
Due to Covid-19 restrictions, New York has witnessed increased robberies, package theft, financial scams, and increased assaults on law enforcement officers and medical workers (Abdelmottlep, 2020). NYC transit account for 80% of the city’s surface mass transport (Aziz et al., 2018). People with disabilities are also offered transportation through paratransit services. The safety and security of all commuters using NYC transit are left in the bureau’s hands with counterterrorism police unit monitoring any terror threat. Police patrol 25 lines of the subways, 472 stations, and over 250 miles of rail lines (Ceccato & Newton, 2015). This demonstrates the amount of work police have to handle.
Previous local efforts to counter terror threats in New York City, as detailed in the Intelligence and Counterterrorism reports, have been a concern. Yet, New Yorkers are continuing to expose themselves to terroristic threats while maintaining a minimal security posture. MTA statistics indicate that 2176 cases of harassment of subway workers by riders have been reported since January, resulting in an 11% increase from the previous year (Shvetsov & Shvetsova, 2017). This evidence-based data upholds the claim that the financial burdens New Yorkers are facing will result in irritable riders who are unable to pay their fare. Several agents have tested positive for Covid-19 leaving the agency with a depleted workforce and the responsibility of preventing the spread of infections (Glaeser et al., 2020).
The existing security threats in the division and subways would worsen as local and federal governments tend to take extreme measures to respond to the virus. The unit is projecting an increase in terror threats because some refugees may try to enter the country illegally. Situations, where refugees are fleeing their countries to seek asylum in other places, have been witnessed. Several cases of such scenarios have already been witnessed in Europe (Lopez-Pena et al., 2020).
The projection is based on the report highlighting increasing cases of terrorism from 2013 to 2019 as shown in figure above. When health workers spend all their time to ensure the safety of all and others work towards restoring the economy, the government must prepare itself to deal with national security contingencies.
As per the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommendations, people should observe social distancing of at least two meters apart at workplaces (Nicastri et al., 2020). Adhering to WHO’s regulations at workplaces means the counterterrorism department would have to allocate additional resources to ensure workers’ safety. The unit would have to conduct risk assessments, educate its workers on covid-19, provide for cleaning and handwashing materials, and ensure vulnerable workers’ safety. Equipment and other items such as cell phones, internet, and computer usage expenses would be incurred as a result of “working from home” measures.
Due to infections witnessed among the counterterrorism department workers, the management projects absenteeism, especially those who would fall sick and may need to quarantine or isolate themselves. Such occurrences would lead to shortages of personnel, and therefore, the unit has allocated some of its budgets to recruit new agents to cover for the estimated number of workers who would not be able to report to work. The division has budgeted for extra office furniture to ensure social distancing is maintained at workplaces. Costs on installing high-efficiency air filters, physical barriers such as clear plastic sneeze guards, a drive-through window for customer service, and increment of ventilations rates would be incurred, prompting the need to increase budget allocation to the unit. Videoconferencing facilities such as monitors need to be installed to enhance effective communication and reporting of any unusual behavior (Shaw et al., 2020). Agents will have to report to their supervisors via phone or video calls, and this would require an increment in airtime expenses.
Previous Years’ Growth
The division has made numerous gains in the recent past despite the limited recourses at its disposal. Since the events of September 11, 2001, the division has effectively prevented any terrorist activity in the subways by gathering intelligence and acting swiftly on any suspected threat. The unit has trained some of the best agents and equipped them with the necessary technological resources to patrol, collect data and analyze, and share their findings with partner agencies such as the FBI and NYPD joint terrorism task force. As part of the NYPD counterterrorism department, the division engages first responders with innovative and forward-thinking techniques trained in special weapons, long-range guns, detection of explosives, radiology and nuclear, biology, and chemical weapons (Fisher, 2016). The bomb squad has received adequate training on use of resources such as Total Containment Vessels (TCV) to defuse, transport, and dispose of any suspected packages found lying in the subways. This has been possible due to the excellent working relationship the division has developed with MTA workers and the community.
Previous Year Issues, Constraints, and Impact on the Office
- Several constraints were witnessed, especially in acquiring technological infrastructure for surveillance operations. CRC teams fell short of some resources; for instance, the division could not receive adequate Tactical Radiological Acquisition Characterization System (TRACS) for the Maritime team to monitor any radiation in the New York ports (Robinson, 2020). The Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosives (CBRNE) Section did not get enough funding to purchase kits for testing emerging technologies. The division’s target of training and new entries could not be met last year with limited budget allocated.
- The bomb squad section was not provided with enough specialized tools like TCV, which is crucial in dismantling, transporting, and disposing of explosive devices. Out of 24 agents, only 11 have TCV, which has exposed them to many risks (Robinson, 2020). A robot used to monitor, control, and transport devices has not been useful due to lack of regular maintenance. The Domain Awareness System (DAS) that aids in aggregating data from CCTV cameras, plate readers, sensors, 911 call-database became faulty in July.
Projected Constrains if Financial Interests are not Met
Therefore, failure to allocate enough resources to the counterterrorism division this year, as highlighted in the proposed FY 2021 budget would subject it into financial crisis. Any budget cuts as proposed by some politicians and protestors would be untenable and could expose MTA and New Yorkers to eminent terrorist threats. The department would not be able to buy enough TCVs for the agents, and this would further endanger their lives. CBRNE Section requires urgent funding to purchase testing kits for emerging technologies. Advancement in technology has resulted in sophisticated devices and explosives which can cause a lot damage on property and to humans (Cullen, 2017). Additionally, some of the transit’s CCTV cameras, license plate readers, and 911 devices are faulty and have not been repaired.
Adhering to Covid-19 health protocols is critical in ensuring safety of workers and controlling spread of the virus. Inadequate funds would mean that the division cannot implement health protocols at workplaces. Purchase of extra office furniture to cater for 2 meters’ distance between employees would not be attained. Installing high-efficiency air filters, physical barriers such as clear plastic sneeze guards, drive through windows for customer service, and increment of ventilation rates would not be realized. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers and rubs, hand soap, no-touch trash cans, disinfectants and disposable towels for cleaning hands would not be purchased. Videoconferencing facilities used to hold virtual meetings among employees, especially those with underlying conditions and are working from home, would not be acquired as planned.
Projected Constrains on Internal and External Stakeholders
Budgetary constraints majorly affect discretionary programs and stakeholders involved in the sector. For instance, if policymakers decide to subject budget cuts on police service, the government XYZ’s finances would be impacted positively since money will no longer be spent on the program. However, stakeholders in the sector, such as supplies of TVCs, military armaments, and other items, would suffer financial loss. Workers and any other individuals involved financially would be impacted; as such, the decision to eliminate a budgetary item or a portion of it can result in a negative outcome down the chain (Sarial-Abi et al., 2016).
Solution to Overcome Reductions in Budgeting
Therefore, public sectors need to make informed decisions on how to approach budgetary constraints scenarios whenever they occur. The government will always have a finite level of income to spend on infinite programs. Stakeholders involved in discretionary programs should be prepared at all times to operate with budget cuts. They should avoid implementing pet projects which are not critical (Divounguy et al., n.d.). Employees’ welfare should be given priority because they are the main resources, and therefore, their salaries and benefits should be settled. Engaging in activities such as vacations can be avoided when an organization is faced with budget cuts. Wastages in terms of corruption should be avoided so as to ensure all money spent can be accounted for.
Conclusion
The budgetary increment proposal by the security and counterterrorism department is justified because the unit has to purchase new office furniture, technological resources, and other substances to maintain high hygiene at workplaces. Effects of Covid-19 have subjected low-income earners into financial crisis. Some of them have resorted to criminal activities and may join terror gangs. Such would be risky to the safety and wellbeing of New Yorkers. The division has made some milestones in ensuring any terror threats is neutralized. Conversely, if its financial interests are not met in this fiscal year, the department would fall into a financial crisis. Implementing Covid-19 health protocols at workplaces would be a considerable challenge and availing necessary equipment to the teams. However, budgetary constraints are expected during an economic crisis, and organizations should be prepared to take budgets and prioritize critical areas.
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