Police, Fire Services Need $500 Million

San Diego’s police and fire departments need nearly $500 million over the next several years to update equipment and increase staffing levels to state and national standards, according to a report by department officials.

Police Chief William Lansdowne presented the findings of “A Comprehensive Public Safety Needs Assessment” to the City Council’s Public Safety and Neighborhood Services Committee on Wednesday.

The Police Department would use a portion of its $186-million request to replace 230 police cruisers that have exceeded the industry standard of 80,000 miles and old bulletproof vests, and build a police station in the northwest part of the city.