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Council authorizes expanded license‑plate readers and approves police forfeiture spending for training and rentals
Summary
Council approved sole‑source purchase of additional license‑plate‑reader (LPR) cameras and appropriated asset‑forfeiture funds for range rental costs. Staff said LPRs helped solve crimes and the expansion will increase coverage from six to 26 cameras.
The Conway City Council approved a sole‑source purchase and use of forfeiture funds to expand the Police Department’s license‑plate‑reader (LPR) network, and also approved using forfeiture funds to cover increased range rental costs.
Chief Harris told the council the department’s existing LPR cameras had been effective in solving cases and that interoperability with other Central Arkansas agencies (e.g., Little Rock and North Little Rock) is a key justification for purchasing compatible equipment. Council adopted the waiver of competitive bidding and authorized the procurement; staff said the expansion will increase the system from 6 cameras to 26.
Why it matters
City police said the LPR network allows searches by license plate and, when plates are unreadable, by vehicle descriptors (for example, searching for “white Ford truck” in a given time window). Council and staff cited previous cases where the system aided arrests. The city will fund both the LPR expansion and the increased shooting‑range rental costs through asset‑forfeiture funds.
What council decided
- Ordinance to waive competitive bidding and purchase LPR cameras (sole source for compatibility) — adopted, 8–0. Staff noted compatibility allows regional searches and cross‑jurisdictional assistance when suspects move between agencies with the same system. - Ordinance appropriating asset‑forfeiture funds to cover higher range rental costs at S7 Shooting Range — adopted, 8–0. Chief Harris said the range’s insurance and operating costs increased after the department submitted its budget, so forfeiture funds will cover the difference for the year.
Next steps
The Police Department and IT staff will proceed with procurement and installation of the additional cameras and will install and integrate them according to departmental timelines. Staff said they will return with implementation updates and scheduling for additional training if needed.
Ending
Council members praised the utility of equipment already in use and approved the funding actions to expand capacity and maintain training access.
