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Rescue 4: Detroit C.R.I.B. Decked Out

City Bill Estimated At $200,000

POSTED: Thursday, January 20, 2005
UPDATED: 10:28 am EST January 21, 2005

The city of Detroit apparently paid top dollar to furnish the offices of a new department, while it faces an estimated budget deficit of $230 million, according to Rescue 4 investigator Kevin Dietz.

Rescue 4's Waste Watchers took a hidden camera into the newly furnished offices of the Civil Rights Integrity Bureau (C.R.I.B.), a department that reviews the practices of the Detroit Police Department to make sure it is following federal guidelines.


VIDEO: Rescue 4 Investigates C.R.I.B. Offices
IMAGE GALLERY: Hidden Camera Tour Of C.R.I.B. Offices
Do you know of wasteful money being spent in Detroit? Send an e-mail to WasteWatchers@clickondetroit.com and we'll check into it.

The C.R.I.B. department is furnished with new leather chairs and wooden desks in several of its offices, Dietz reported. The hidden camera also discovered a flatscreen TV in one room and new cabinets lining the walls, according to the report.

Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick made an announcement last week that the city would make cuts in jobs, transportation and other areas to help reduce the deficit. Kilpatrick said that he has been focused on cutting costs since his first day in office, Dietz reported.

But Rescue 4 reportedly discovered that about $200,000 of city tax dollars went toward furnishing the offices where 34 C.R.I.B. employees work.

When Local 4 asked why the city had to purchase new furniture for the offices, Deputy Chief James Tate said, "We didn't have any furniture whatsoever at that building. We had thought about taking some furniture from other facilities in the Detroit Police Department, but they're not up to the standard."

Tate added that the bill for the furniture shows that the city was able to reduce the price from $220,000 to $186,000, Dietz reported.

City officials also said that when the furniture was purchased 15 months ago, the city was not in the financial crisis it is currently facing.

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