McPherson County approves five-year contract for Block Safety license-plate cameras on I-135

The McPherson County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously Feb. 24 to authorize county staff to pursue a five-year contract with Block Safety for four license-plate recognition cameras on Interstate 135.

The decision follows a presentation by Deputy Sergeant Jackson of the sheriff’s office K-9 unit, who described a 90-day trial using the system. Jackson said the cameras read license plates and basic vehicle descriptions, generate alerts for entries placed into national databases such as the National Crime Information Center, and helped investigators identify a vehicle after a fatal crash on I-135 and locate a stolen car that was later found in Oklahoma.

Jackson told commissioners the company offered two pricing options during his trial: an annual contract priced at about $12,000 and a different quote near $17,000 that would apply if more extensive installation was required. He said a four-camera minimum is required to enable nation‑wide querying across the vendor’s network, and that the county could lock the lower price with a three‑ or five‑year contract. Jackson said the cameras are solar powered, can be mounted on existing guardrails with Kansas Department of Transportation approval or placed on poles, and that vendor warranties cover maintenance and upgrades to new cameras.

Commissioners asked about data retention, security and how alerts are distributed. Jackson said the vendor’s cloud retains data for approximately 30 days, that alerts can be sent as emails and to dispatch, and that the cameras produce alerts when a tag matches an entry in shared national or regional alert systems (for example, an Amber alert or a Silver Alert entered into NCIC). He acknowledged that any cloud service carries cybersecurity risk and said routine IT precautions apply.

Commissioners also discussed funding options and grants; Jackson said he was aware of potential federal sources such as the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) but did not identify a specific grant award. Commissioners asked for a contractual term and scope; another commissioner moved to authorize a five‑year contract for four cameras, the motion was seconded, and the board voted aye. The motion passed.

The board’s motion instructs staff to obtain the contract with the vendor; it does not commit a specific capital appropriation in the minutes, and commissioners indicated they expect further contract review and budgeting steps before installation work begins.

The county will be able to share the system with McPherson Police Department and other participating agencies in Kansas, according to Jackson’s presentation. He said the cameras aided recent local investigations, including fentanyl distribution cases on I-135 and U.S. 56, and argued the system would help detect frequent visitors to the county who are tied to distribution activity.

The commissioners asked the sheriff’s office to return with a proposed contract and any required budget details for later review and formal procurement processing.