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Police ask council to use vehicle-sale proceeds to fund desktop upgrades and Acorn Park cameras
Summary
The police chief reported several desktop computers are nearing end-of-life ahead of Windows 10 end‑of‑support and requested permission to use proceeds from auctioned surplus patrol vehicles to buy replacements; the department also sought to proceed with a previously awarded $5,000 grant for a forensic camera system at Acorn Park.
Franklin Park's police chief told council the department has multiple desktop machines that will fall out of CJIS-compliant support when Windows 10 reaches an end‑of‑support milestone and recommended replacing five desktops to maintain operations. The chief said vendors quoted approximately $7,200–$8,500 to replace the machines and that money from the impending auction of a surplus patrol vehicle could cover that cost.
The chief asked whether proceeds from the vehicle sale could be used to purchase the replacements; council and staff indicated that using surplus/auction proceeds for targeted capital replacement is standard municipal practice and supportive of a short timeline. The chief added that vehicle procurement and auction timelines mean the borough may realize additional surplus proceeds in the near term.
Separately, the chief said the department received a $5,000 grant to update a forensic camera and training for two officers; staff confirmed that awarding authority and the grant are available and that the department will proceed with procurement and training.
The chief also noted some in‑car mobile computing units may require staggered replacement and that he is negotiating with the IT vendor on phased replacements over multiple budget years. Council asked staff to coordinate timing with the IT replacement plan and to include funding for remaining police equipment in the next budget cycle.
Ending
Council signaled support for using surplus proceeds to begin desktop replacements and asked staff to return with purchase authorizations and an implementation timetable.
