The McMinnville Safety Committee voted to approve the purchase of six automated license-plate reader (ALPR) cameras and to authorize several equipment actions for the police department.

Chief Moseley presented the ALPR request, saying the cameras would help locate stolen vehicles, missing persons and wanted individuals entering McMinnville. He described proposed coverage at six locations, with three units on city streets and three on state routes that will require Tennessee Department of Transportation approval. Chief Moseley told the committee the city budget includes the $19,930 total cost for the vendor contract, and he said privacy concerns are addressed through yearly audits and restricted access policies.

Committee members questioned enforcement limits and whether the cameras could be used to issue citations. Chief Moseley said the system would be used for investigative purposes, not for automated citations, and described policy and audit protections. A committee member referenced Tennessee Code Annotated as the relevant state framework the city considers when setting policy.

Following discussion, a committee member moved to approve the purchase of Flock Safety LPRs; the motion was seconded and passed.

The committee also declared four retired police vehicles surplus (two 2012 Impalas and two 2013 Impalas) and approved transferring 28 portable radios to the county sheriff’s department for correctional use because replacement parts for those radios are no longer available. The committee then approved a separate purchase of new mobile radios, aligned with an upcoming tracking system. Chief Moseley said grant funds would cover part of that purchase; the total on the statewide contract was cited as $41,996.61. A motion to proceed with the radio purchase carried.

The committee adjourned after completing the items on the safety agenda.

Next steps: the purchases and surplus actions proceed under the authority of the committee’s approvals and applicable procurement rules; vendors and interagency transfer details will be completed by staff.