Washington, D.C. (September 21, 2006)
-- When investigating a crime, the police often say you
need to keep your eye on the big picture.
So, then, it shouldn't be too surprising that the Durham, N.C. police department recently used funds raised from city property taxes to buy a Mitsubishi 52-inch, $2100 High-Definition TV for its executive conference room.
Well, it did surprise a few people.
"As a taxpayer, I think that's outrageous," City Councilman Thomas Stith told the News and Observer, the local newspaper. "Unfortunately, it is indicative of our administration that in a budget of hundreds of millions, a few thousand dollars here a few thousand dollars there don't matter. That's ridiculous."
HDTV under suspicion? The Durham police's new set.
However, Deputy Police Chief Ron Hodge says he approved the $2100 purchase after the department's $800, non-HD set "died." He added he didn't know why his "subordinates" didn't buy a less expensive set.
But don't think that the deputy chief and the boys are planning to watch the Carolina Panthers in high-def this Sunday. No, Hodge said the high-def set is needed so the police can monitor current events and track potential emergencies such as hurricanes.
The deputy chief told the News and Observer that he wasn't concerned about the appearance of buying the set as the city council is considering a city wide tax increase.
"That didn't have anything to do with it," Hodge said. "I just said to find some money and get a new television. I needed a television. Let's get real. There are just some things you need to go out and get."
Sure, like a 52-inch Mitsubishi High-Definition TV.
So, then, it shouldn't be too surprising that the Durham, N.C. police department recently used funds raised from city property taxes to buy a Mitsubishi 52-inch, $2100 High-Definition TV for its executive conference room.
Well, it did surprise a few people.
"As a taxpayer, I think that's outrageous," City Councilman Thomas Stith told the News and Observer, the local newspaper. "Unfortunately, it is indicative of our administration that in a budget of hundreds of millions, a few thousand dollars here a few thousand dollars there don't matter. That's ridiculous."
HDTV under suspicion? The Durham police's new set.
However, Deputy Police Chief Ron Hodge says he approved the $2100 purchase after the department's $800, non-HD set "died." He added he didn't know why his "subordinates" didn't buy a less expensive set.
But don't think that the deputy chief and the boys are planning to watch the Carolina Panthers in high-def this Sunday. No, Hodge said the high-def set is needed so the police can monitor current events and track potential emergencies such as hurricanes.
The deputy chief told the News and Observer that he wasn't concerned about the appearance of buying the set as the city council is considering a city wide tax increase.
"That didn't have anything to do with it," Hodge said. "I just said to find some money and get a new television. I needed a television. Let's get real. There are just some things you need to go out and get."
Sure, like a 52-inch Mitsubishi High-Definition TV.