ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24\/7. Click here to watch<\/a><\/p>\n“The strategy we are using to keep these expenditures down, we are leveraging technology to increase accountability,” said CPD Deputy Director Office of Strategic Planning Ryan Fitzsimons.<\/p>\n
It is now mandatory for every officer to enter a tracking code when submitting overtime so supervisors can trace spending.<\/p>\n
“When you begin to monitor something a little more aggressively, I think people make slightly different decisions when it’s under the microscope,” said Chicago Budget Committee Chairman Ald. Jason Ervin.<\/p>\n
Besides the ability for commanders to use technology to be more judicious with overtime, the Chicago City Council has increased its budget. This year’s police overtime budget is about $200 million. So far, $55.7 million has been spent, but big spending has yet to come. Summer months are the most expensive with so many big-scale planned events.<\/p>\n
“Many of my colleagues want to continue to talk about how we reign in overtime, when we’re creating the overtime,” said 19th Ward Ald. Matthew O’Shea.<\/p>\n
O’Shea suggests possibly scaling back on so many events to get a better handle on overtime. Ervin doubts that will happen.<\/p>\n
“I think if we were to ask citizens to say, hey, let’s not have events, we would be boring. We would not be Chicago. So, I think this is a cost that is we are accustomed, and I think it is a cost that makes us who we are,” Ervin said.<\/p>\n
Chicago police and alderpersons agree that making investments in more technology can help with bringing the overtime budget down.<\/p>\n
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