3/12/2013
By Ivan Pereira
Superstorm Sandy not only did a number on the NYPD’s resources, it also hurt the department’s wallet.
Police Commissioner Ray Kelly told the City Council’s Public Safety Committee Tuesday that the Oct. 29 storm and its aftermath cost the NYPD $115.9 million.
The biggest expense was $84.8 million for overtime, for what the commissioner said was extraordinary work from the men and women in blue.
The situation in downtown Manhattan, the Rockaways, Staten Island and Brooklyn became so severe, Kelly said, h police academy recruit was mobilized to direct traffic and many retired officers had to be reactivated to help out.
“Despite suffering catastrophic damage to their own homes and property, they continued to report for duty and help others,” Kelly said of his officers. “They carried out thousands of rescues by land, sea and air.”
The commissioner said the NYPD recouped some of the money when events where cops were scheduled to patrol were canceled because of the storm, like the ING New York City Marathon. Federal Sandy aid also helped, he said.
The NYPD also had to pay $14.3 million for cleanup materials and to replace storm-damaged supplies; and $16.8 million to fix various police property including nine NYPD facilities that were damaged.
