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Parish debate over vehicle key fobs and cameras highlights cost and privacy, motion to proceed passes with caveats
Summary
Parish staff outlined a vehicle tracking and camera system with a one-time key-fob charge of about $8,126.80 and first-year camera costs estimated at $27,664.40; jurors debated purchase vs. rental, enforcement policy and funding and ultimately voted to proceed with the key-fob rollout while requiring an employee policy be drafted first.
Assumption Parish jurors debated competing proposals on Dec. 10 to add key fobs and camera telemetry to parish vehicles, a measure supporters said would improve asset tracking and accountability while critics raised questions about cost and enforcement.
Brian (parish staff) presented cost estimates: "the first year cost for the cameras would be $27,664.40," with an ongoing data-charge estimate of about $8,064 annually. He also provided a one-time cost for key fobs and devices at $8,126.80. Staff said renting equipment could reduce capital outlay (rental estimates were discussed around $14,000 per year), while ownership would require a recurring data plan.
A proponent explained operational benefits: "It just automatically logs [the driver] in, and you can print it every month on a report," describing mileage, location tracking and maintenance alerts that the system would provide.
Opponents questioned whether the parish would enforce new personnel rules and whether the benefits justified the cost. One juror said any rollout should be preceded by a written policy clarifying disciplinary steps for infractions; another juror asked how costs would be allocated across departments. Several members suggested renting the system to preserve upgrade flexibility.
After debate, there was a motion to move forward with key fobs at the amount discussed; the transcript records that the jury voted and carried the motion while also directing staff to draft an employee policy and revisit implementation details at a regular meeting.
The jury did not finalize long-term procurement terms (rent vs. buy) on the cameras and asked staff to return with clearer funding splits and an enforcement policy before broad deployment.
