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City staff say $115,470 grant will fund license-plate readers, new drone and K‑9 for Sierra Vista Police
Summary
City staff asked council to accept $115,470.72 from the Arizona Department of Public Safety to buy license-plate readers, a 3D-capable drone and a replacement patrol/narcotics canine; staff described data retention, uses and permitting steps for placement along state highways.
The police chief (unnamed in the transcript) told the council that the city was awarded $115,470.72 in local board support grant funding from the Arizona Department of Public Safety to buy license-plate readers (LPRs), a new drone and a new K‑9. The chief said the application required listing specific projects to be funded and that the award covers the three items.
“License plate readers now are being used by a number of police agencies … to record license plates of vehicles at various strategic roadways, choke points coming in and out of the city,” the chief said. He described how LPRs can be configured to find a vehicle “fingerprint” — a combination of plate, color and distinctive markings — and explained uses that include missing-person searches (silver alerts) and criminal investigations when no plate is obtained during an incident. The chief said LPR data are typically retained for about 30 days and then deleted.
On placement and permitting, the chief said the city had reached out to the Arizona Department of Transportation and that ADOT maintains a permit process for placing equipment on state highway right-of-way. He identified potential camera locations including Highway 92, Buffalo Soldier Trail and Highway 90.
The chief also said the grant will buy a drone platform capable of 3D crime‑scene diagramming and accident reconstruction and will fund purchase and training for a new patrol/narcotics canine to replace K‑9 Yukon, who retired for medical reasons. The department currently has one K‑9 unit and had previously operated two; staff said the goal is to restore the normal staffing level of two K‑9s.
Council members asked operational questions. When asked how many K‑9 units the department currently has, the chief replied: “We have 1 right now, sir,” and added the department typically staffs two and is “just trying to get back up to our normal staffing of 2.” On data access the chief said the LPR system uses cloud-based data management that can be accessed from department computers, in-car systems and mobile devices and can interface with the city’s real-time crime center.
Next steps: staff presented the resolution to accept the grant (Resolution 2025-017) for council consideration; no vote was taken at this meeting and the item was scheduled for formal consideration at the next council session.
Ending: Staff said they would begin the ADOT permitting process if the council approves the resolution and that the equipment would be used for silver alerts, criminal investigations, and to expand the police department’s real-time crime capabilities.
