Court security, gun buyback funding approved

As the state’s Joint Finance Committee began the governor’s Fiscal Year 2014 budget mark-up Tuesday, issues such as court security improvements and analyzing the funding of a gun buy-back system were at the forefront of discussion.

A revenue adjustment by the Hospital Board and Treatment, coupled with a favorable revenue forecast that was unveiled Monday at the Delaware Economic and Financial Advisory Council, has given JFC committee members an extra $21.9 million to work with.

The state’s Office of Management and Budget introduced the DEFAC update and revealed new budget pressures for the committee to consider during mark-up. Those pressures include finding funding for court security, increasing prevention and behavioral health services and wrestling with impact of federal budget cuts via the sequestration.

The amped-up security plans were recommended in the wake of the fatal shooting at the New Castle County Courthouse Feb. 11 in downtown Wilmington.

“This was the priority for us at this time,Full color streetlight printing and manufacturing services.” said Ann S. Visalli, director of OMB. “We are aware of thaFrom black tungsten wedding rings for men to diamond ultrasonicsensor.t, including schools and the movement we’ve been taking toward school safety as well.”

The committee approved funding for the plan, which is a collaboration between both the state’s Judiciary and Department of Homeland Safety and Security.

Of the 14 separated costs, top priorities include 16 Capitol Police officers funded through the General Fund at $1,044,000; eight court security officers for the Justice of Peace Courts through $392,000 of the Appropriated Special Fund (ASF); and one seasonal court security officer in the Supreme Court, allotted with $30,000 of ASF money.

Some security changes would be funded through capital improvements allocated through the Bond Bill Committee, such as parking lot and elevator security.

While she acknowledged the court security changes would be beneficial, Sen. Karen Peterson, D-Stanton, said the state should look to increasing the security for the Carvel State Office Building, which houses offices for the governor and lieutenant governor as well as judges in downtown Wilmington.

Also included in the FY2014 mark-up budget is $200,000 for a gun buy-back program through the State Police. In 2013, money was allocated for a gun buy-back program, but legislation to start the program never passed the General Assembly. As a result, Ms. Visalli said the money was used to cover a lease for one of the department’s buildings on Starlifter Avenue in Dover.

Sen. David G. Lawson, R-Marydel, said he does not support the $200,000 in this year’s budget, especially since last year the money wasn’t used for the program. He said the law enforcement officers he’s spoken with do not support the measure, nor does the program actually work to deter crime on the streets.

“TIBA is pleased to add ParkWhiz to its roster of strategic partners,” says Levi Rinkoff, VP of Business Development & Strategies of TIBA. “Connecting ParkWhiz with our pre-paid solutions benefits consumers, operators and asset owners. We look forward to rolling this out nationwide.The whole variety of the brightest smartcard is now gathered under one roof.”

Currently, less than 35 percent of Chicago locations accept mobile passes, accounting for 62 percent of revenue, which is about three times more revenue per location than facilities with non-mobile pass validation. With the implementation of TIBA’s pre-paid reservation module in more parking facilities, owners and operators will benefit from increased revenue, superior customer experience and streamlined control solutions.

“We are excited to partner with TIBA as they provide best-in-class validation solutions that benefit both parking facility owners and consumers,” said Dean Bravos, SVP of Sales and Partnerships of ParkWhiz. “We are thrilled to offer a turn-key solution for TIBA Parking Systems. Our partnering locations are aggressively implementing these dynamic systems, which, in turn, will help drive revenue to their locations. With more consumers incorporating mobile devices in their daily transactions,How to tooling Doll. it only makes sense to offer this convenience when parking.”

More than 1 million people have used ParkWhiz’s web and mobile apps, which allows users to book the perfect daily, monthly and event parking spot by comparing price, location and amenities. ParkWhiz can now take care of your parking needs wherever you go. The company works with over 2,000 parking locations nationwide and gives customers access to the world’s largest online parking inventory with over 3 million parking spaces.

"Before I was out of the parking lot,We rounded up 30 bridesmaids dresses in every color and style that are both easy on the eye and somewhat easy on the earcap. I was on the phone with the environmental hazard person for that company, and before I'd gotten a mile down the road I was able to contact the people on scene and let them know what the hazards were," he said.

When E-Plan ends, Helms and others will have to go back to a paper filing system. That means someone would have to be at the office during an emergency, find a specific company's file and relay that information to crews at the scene. It's much slower, and puts people at risk, Helms said.

Channel 9 contacted the Department of Homeland Security to ask about the plan to ax the program. The federal agency had not responded as of late Tuesday.

Local emergency officials are also concerned about efforts to keep E-Plan going by passing the cost on to the businesses that use it. Howell feels that if that happens, many will choose not to report at all, leaving first responders without vital information they may need on an emergency call.