Decentralization with new police stations could be highly desirable from everyone's standpoint but extremely costly and have to be implemented over a lengthy period. Storefront offices might be a much cheaper, acceptable and adequate short-term alternative. A frequent problem which arises is the failure to appreciate that making change is itself in the short-term more costly than when the innovations are in place. The reason is simple. The agency has to fulfill its existing commitments at the same time as new programs are being introduced.
Payment therefore has to be made for today and tomorrow simultaneously.
Not until the transition is concluded can there be budgetary savings which will make the agency more cost effective. It is those cost savings that need to be spelt out in the early stages of the planning process.