By Israel Cruz For US Senate
Its Purpose
The Citizens on Patrol system or cops is designed to create a balance between bureaucratic oversight and community engagement. These elected citizens ( Cops on the beat) will monitor the flow of federal resources to ensure they are properly allocated at the district level, identifying areas of corruption, inefficiency, and waste. Citizens on Patrol serve as the bridge between the people and the government, working both within the bureaucracy and on the streets to ensure accountability and transparency.
Core Elements
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District-Level Elections
• Community Elected: Each district elects a citizen on patrol every two years, alternating with the House of Representatives election cycle to ensure fresh perspectives. These individuals must be non-partisan, respected by the community, and committed to representing the best interests of their district.
• Non-Political, Fact-Based Role: Citizens on Patrol focus on fact-finding and problem-solving, without political influence. Their goal is to identify where resources are failing to reach the district, whether due to inefficiency, corruption, or misallocation. -
Balancing Bureaucracy and Community Input
• Streamlining Bureaucratic Operations: Citizens on Patrol will work within the bureaucratic system to identify inefficiencies, misuse of resources, and any “fat” that needs trimming. By reviewing reports, examining financial records, and interviewing bureaucrats, they can uncover where money is being blocked or wasted.
• On-the-Ground Accountability: At the same time, they will regularly engage with the public in their districts, gathering first-hand information on how federal resources are impacting the community. They will directly ask residents where the money is going, whether roads, schools, or infrastructure projects are being completed, and whether there are areas in need of attention.
• Cross-Checking Information: The role of Citizens on Patrol is to compare the bureaucratic data with what they see on the ground. For example, if the bureaucracy reports that funds have been allocated for road repairs, but the citizens in the district report that no repairs have been made, this would be flagged as an issue that requires further investigation. -
Investigative Responsibilities
• Identifying Corruption, Waste, and Inefficiencies: Citizens on Patrol are tasked with rooting out corruption, waste, and inefficiencies in the flow of federal money from the top down to the district level. By reviewing budgets and contracts, they can identify where money is being misused or not being allocated properly.
• Real-Time Data Collection: Citizens on Patrol collect real-time data from both the bureaucracy and the streets, allowing them to flag issues as they arise. For instance, if they observe that funds intended for school improvements are being delayed, they can immediately report this discrepancy to Congress. -
Neighborhood Collaboration
• Working with Local Representatives: Each neighborhood elects a non-partisan representative who acts as a resource for Citizens on Patrol, providing insights into where the community’s needs are most pressing. This ensures that Citizens on Patrol have a clear picture of where federal resources are needed most, and where they are being properly or improperly utilized.
• Pinpointing Resource Gaps: Citizens on Patrol will identify which areas in the district are receiving the necessary funds and which are not. If they find that one neighborhood’s roads are properly maintained while another’s are falling apart despite equal funding, they can report this discrepancy for further action. -
Security Clearance and Access
• Accessing Bureaucratic Information: Citizens on Patrol will be given a security clearance level determined by Congress, ensuring they have the authority to investigate the flow of money within the bureaucracy without compromising sensitive data. This will allow them to access financial records, contracts, and reports to uncover inefficiencies.
• Safeguarding Information: The security protocols used for members of Congress will also apply to Citizens on Patrol, ensuring they handle sensitive data responsibly. -
Reporting Structure
• Reports to Congress: All findings from Citizens on Patrol, whether from the streets or within the bureaucracy, will be compiled into regular reports submitted directly to Congress. These reports will identify areas where federal funds are not being used effectively and where corrective action is needed.
• Centralized Database: Citizens on Patrol will file their reports into a centralized database, ensuring that all information is available for review and comparison. This database will help Congress track inefficiencies and act on areas of concern. -
Real-Time Monitoring and Feedback
• Regular Monitoring: Citizens on Patrol will monitor the flow of federal funds on a real-time basis, ensuring they can stem issues before they become larger problems. Monthly updates will allow them to keep track of projects in their district, ensuring that money is flowing as intended.
• Targeted Action: If they identify “bleeding” areas where money is being misused or wasted, they will immediately notify Congress so that action can be taken within the fiscal year. Their reports will ensure that funds can be redirected as necessary to areas with greater need. -
Accountability and Penalties
• Held to Higher Standards: Since Citizens on Patrol are tasked with rooting out waste and corruption, they will be held to a higher standard. If any Citizen on Patrol is found to be creating waste or corruption, harsher penalties will apply, as they would be abusing the trust placed in them.
• Congress and Public Oversight: Penalties for misconduct will be determined by Congress with input from the public. This hybrid model of accountability ensures that Citizens on Patrol are not above scrutiny themselves. -
Civic Education and Training
• Education from an Early Age: Civic education will start at the elementary level, ensuring that by the time citizens are elected to office, they have a thorough understanding of their responsibilities. This removes the need for excessive training when they take office, with only refresher courses on specific duties required.
• Building Civic-Minded Leadership: By fostering a civic-minded population, the system encourages citizens to take pride in their communities and serve with integrity, knowing they are working for the greater good. -
Success Metrics
• Measuring Success: Success will be measured by how effectively Citizens on Patrol are able to identify areas of inefficiency and corruption, and how quickly those issues are addressed by Congress. Community feedback and the visible impact of federal resources on the district will also be key indicators.
• Continuous Improvement: Each year, Citizens on Patrol will use the data gathered from the previous year to refine their approach, ensuring that they can better target problem areas and improve the flow of federal funds to their districts.
Conclusion
The Citizens on Patrol system ensures that federal resources are being properly allocated at the district level by balancing bureaucratic oversight with first-hand, on-the-ground accountability. By serving as a direct line between the people and Congress, Citizens on Patrol identify areas of waste, inefficiency, and corruption, ensuring that resources are used efficiently and effectively to meet the needs of the community. This non-partisan, fact-based system promotes transparency and strengthens trust between the government and its citizens.