It's Your Money NYC: Hold Your Government Accountable

Funding for '09

$ 65,321,000

Employees

971

Who funds this program?

City and Intra-City 65,129,000 99% State

192,000 (1%)

How is the money spent?

Salaries

58,824,000 (90%)

Supplies

2,204,000 (3%)

Property & Equipment

2,036,000 (3%)

Contracted Services

2,019,000 (3%)

Other

238,000 (1%)

What your money funds:

The Special Operations Unit maintains resources to help the department respond to emergencies, unusual occurrences and special needs. They also provide specially trained and equipped personnel to respond to violent crimes. Units include:

1. Aviation: Based in Brooklyn, the Aviation Unit responds to various emergencies and tasks, supporting other units of the NYPD. Among its capabilities is the deployment of divers for water rescues - this program works with the Harbor Unit to staff 2 divers full-time.
2. Harbor: Protects people and property on navigable waters with 27 boats operating from three bases. It also maintains the scuba team for underwater operations. The Department used to contract with private diving companies when weapons or other evidence had to be recovered from the bottom of New York's rivers and waterways. In the early 1970s, however, the Harbor Unit formed a specialized scuba team that today has around 30 officers.
3. Taxi Squad: Police can stop a TLC vehicle at any time of the day or night to make sure both driver and rider are safe.
4. Anti-Graffiti/Vandalism: Anti-Graffiti coordinators work at the patrol, transporation, housing, borough and local command units to enforce graffiti crimes, encourage cleanup and provide education initiatives.
5. Emergency Services Unit (ESU): This unit is trained in multiple disciplines for police and rescue work. The ESU Canine Unit helps with searches for perpetrators and missing persons. The ESU also maintains a Special Weapons and Tactical Unit (SWAT [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SWAT]) and NYPD hostage negotiators to assist and secure the safety and return of hostages.