Prince George’s County should consider legislation that would require people convicted of crimes to pay a surcharge that would go to its Police Department, according to a recent report from the county’s planning department.

“The amount of manpower and equipment that the county needs is tough to get through taxes and your conventional revenue sources,” said Public Facilities Planner Scott Rowe, who worked on the preliminary Public Safety Facilities Master Plan. “So we were looking for another way to get funding for the Police Department.”

According to the report, Washington, Texas, Alaska and Alabama are states that have surcharges for felonies and at least some misdemeanors.

Washington charges $500 for a felony conviction and $250 for most misdemeanors.

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The report recommends that the Police Department use the money for such things as salaries, equipment, training and capital improvements.

“It’s always a top priority to make sure our public safety [departments] have the resources they need to do their jobs effectively and safety,” said John Erzen, a spokesman for County Executive Jack Johnson. “And we will always explore whatever avenues we have to make sure that happens.”

But Erzen said the purpose of the report is to offer suggestions.

“The Police Department’s budget has grown $100 million since [Johnson] has been in office,” Erzen said. Johnson took office in December 2002, and Erzen said the county’s FY 2008 police budget is $245 million.

The report suggests the County Council enact the surcharge.

“It’s worth looking into and it’s an interesting idea, but I’m not sure it falls into our jurisdiction to do that,” County Council Vice Chairman David Harrington said.

Kettering Civic Federation President Phil Lee said the surcharge is a “great idea.”

“I think that is really sending a message that the taxpayer should not be expected to continuously foot the bill for fighting crime,” he said.

dfowler@dcexaminer.com