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Council approves $26,294 purchase of six Toughbook laptops for police cruisers
Summary
Council approved buying six Panasonic Toughbook laptops for police vehicles after staff said Windows 10 will lose Microsoft support and the existing in-cruiser units are seven years old.
Columbia Borough Council on March 11 approved the purchase of six Panasonic Toughbook laptops for police vehicles at a cost of $26,294.76.
Chief Brahmer explained the urgency: the in‑car computers are seven years old and run Windows 10, which Microsoft plans to stop supporting after November. He told council that the department uses the laptops for accident reports, warrant and driver-status checks, and other mission‑critical on‑scene activities.
The borough had budgeted $10,000 in the capital plan for laptop replacement but the low estimate for the full purchase grew to roughly $26,295. Staff proposed deferring mobile radio purchases (budgeted separately) this year to make room in the capital budget. Council discussed grant possibilities and a citizen suggested local fundraising as a partial option.
Council voted to approve the purchase on a voice vote. Staff said they will continue to seek grant opportunities for future equipment cycles and treat radio replacements as a separately funded decision for the next budget cycle.
Why it matters: Officers rely on in‑car computers for reporting and public‑safety operations; staff said replacing the aging devices this year is necessary to maintain functionality and county radio interoperability.
