City Council approves $4100 crime analytics contract with LexisNexis amid concerns

The Chickasha City Council has approved an updated contract with LexisNexis for a crime analytics module, which will see a significant increase in costs over the next three years. During the meeting on May 5, 2025, Chief of Police provided a detailed explanation of the contract's evolution and the reasons behind the price hike.

The council learned that the new contract will raise the annual fee from $2,500 to $4,100 in the first year, with subsequent increases in the following years. This adjustment is necessary due to the city's data contributions to LexisNexis, which were not accounted for in the previous agreement. The Chief highlighted that the analytics module is crucial for accurate reporting, especially for grant applications, as the previous system had produced inconsistent data.

The council's discussion revealed concerns about the implications of working with a large data collection company and the potential discomfort it may cause among citizens. However, the Chief reassured the council that the updated contract is essential for maintaining effective analytics capabilities after the previous provider, Motorola Spillman, ceased operations in this area.

After thorough deliberation, the council voted in favor of the motion to accept the updated contract, with a majority supporting the decision. This move is expected to enhance the city's crime data analysis capabilities, ultimately benefiting public safety efforts in Chickasha.