Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2005
Contact: Jessica Robinson, 573-751-0290
Blunt’s Philosophy Equals Better Service, $600,000 Savings at Highway Patrol
JEFFERSON CITY–In order to accomplish Gov. Matt Blunt’s task for state departments to improve efficiency, the Highway Patrol has made a few key purchases that account for more than $600,000 in cost and time savings.
The patrol’s makeover is part of Gov. Matt Blunt’s request that agencies take a hard look at their operations and find ways to decrease expenditures while increasing customer service.
Most notable may be the amount the patrol is saving by processing log tape scan data in-house. The scans, needed by law enforcement agencies and prosecutors for information about investigations, can cost several thousand dollars each to be processed at a data center. Patrol IT personnel designed software that allows the scans to be processed in-house. With approximately 100 investigations per year at what used to cost nearly $5,000 per scan, the patrol is saving $500,000 per year.
"I applaud the Missouri Highway Patrol’s successful efforts to save taxpayer money and at the same time improve public safety," Blunt said. "Their investment in emerging technology to best utilize available resources highlights their continued efforts to improve state government while getting the most for each and every tax dollar."
Purchases that decrease the highway patrol’s operating costs include:
- $2,950 in digital mini-recorders, used as evidence in undercover drug transactions. Cost savings for the discs alone this year are estimated at $11,750.
- Less than $1,000 in video editing software and equipment allowed the patrol to make the traffic safety film "It’s Your Life" in-house, rather than spend upwards of $36,000 like it cost to have a production company make the same type of film, "Stop the Knock" in 2001.
- $20,000 to complete a body repair shop, which will allow patrol vehicles with minor damage to be repaired and painted at low costs in-house. This is estimated to save $20,000 in the first year.
- The federal government picked up the tab for six videoconference systems, placed at the patrol’s general headquarters and its five satellite labs around the state to reduce travel and salary expenses for lab scientist.
- $1,799 for a subscription to PartsBase.com, which allows the patrol to get the most competitive price for any helicopter part. One purchase can save more than the price of the subscription.
The highway patrol has increased efficiency through new technologies, including the simple electronic formatting and automation of previously manual processes.
For example, the patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control (DDCC) has almost completely eliminated the use of pagers and put all employees on the statewide cell phone plan to eliminate fees charged for minutes over on other plans. The Criminal Records and Identification Division nearly cut their production and distribution of charge code manuals in half by putting the content on CD Rom and asking law enforcement agencies, prosecuting attorney offices, and court personnel to share the information—the change saved the division $7,068.
Col. Roger D. Stottlemyre, Superintendent of the Highway Patrol, said he is always looking for ways to make the patrol more efficient and responsive to public safety needs.
"Our service never falls short when protecting the public’s safety, and when we can capitalize on technology and improve safety simultaneously the state will benefit," Stottlemyre said.
For more information contact Terri Durdaller at the Department of Public Safety at (573) 751-4819.
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