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Council advances police capital plan: ALPR cameras, 25 body-worn cameras and new in-car laptops included in budget
Summary
Township of Washington council approved capital items for the police department — including ALPR buy-in, 25 body-worn cameras and eight in-car laptops — after the chief described access controls and county auditing for ALPR data.
The Township of Washington council reviewed several police capital items and debated Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) cameras after receiving written public concern about privacy. The police chief and administration explained system controls, county oversight, and strict access parameters before council approved the equipment as part of the capital plan.
Privacy and use limitations Council members relayed a constituent email expressing privacy concerns about ALPRs. The chief and administration answered that the town’s ALPRs will be linked to the county-hosted system; the county controls retention and audit procedures. The chief said the system logs plates but that officers must have cause to run specific plates and that access is audited; two officers will be trained and certified and responsible for compliance. Council members requested details on retention and auditing; administration said the county is responsible for retention and the town would piggyback on the county service.
Capital items and approvals - ALPRs: council agreed to buy into the county-hosted ALPR system and to install cameras at selected locations to aid investigations and regional plate-matching for criminal activity. The county maintains the data and provides technical hosting; the municipal expense is for hardware purchase and buy-in to the county program. Administration indicated there is no material ongoing town operating cost beyond power and traffic-light integration at many sites. - Body-worn cameras (BWCs): council included $35,000 for 25 new BWCs in the capital plan to replace units and address operational needs. - In-car laptops: council included $40,000 to purchase eight in-car laptops and mounts; administration said the existing units have reached end of service life and new mounts/adapters are required. - Police vehicles: the council debated whether vehicle acquisition should be paid from current fund or capital. Several members argued capital treatment spreads cost (and may allow two vehicles rather than one). Council retained the vehicle request in the capital program so it would be part of a broader capital/bonding ordinance.
Other operational notes The police chief and administration also said they would reflect one approved change in salary language for special officers (class 2 officers to $26/hour and a new class 1 at $22/hour) in the salary ordinance; that adjustment was informational for the capital discussion.
Nut graf: Council approved capital funding for multiple police technology and vehicle items after receiving assurances about ALPR governance and auditing; the purchases are intended to modernize equipment and reduce repair/operational burdens from aging devices.
Ending: Administration and police will return with vendor specifications, expected delivery timelines and any available grant opportunities; council asked to be notified of retention and auditing rules for ALPR data.
