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Henderson council ratifies $70,000 body-camera grant submission, approves JAG application for in-car cameras
Summary
Council ratified the submission of a Bureau of Justice Assistance matching grant request for $70,000 to outfit all officers with body-worn cameras and approved a Justice Assistance Grant application to buy three in-car camera systems totaling $21,599 (shared 60/40 with Vance County).
Assistant Police Chief Vance Johnson told Council the Police Department has researched body-worn cameras and associated storage and access needs and recommended increasing an initial grant request from $48,958 to $70,000 so all officers would receive cameras. Because the BJA award would be a matching grant, the city would provide a $70,000 match from either Asset Forfeiture funds or Tax Revenue funds; Chief Johnson said the department has the funds available.
Council voted to ratify the submission of the $70,000 matching grant request (Resolution 21-56) unanimously with one member absent. Johnson also announced the City's application for the 2021 Justice Assistance Grant to fund three WatchGuard in-car video systems; the grant is typically shared with the county in a 60/40 split and the requested amount for the City's portion is $21,599. Council approved Resolution 21-57 to submit the JAG application.
Council members asked about using Asset Forfeiture versus Tax Revenue for the match and what would happen to the Tax Revenue funds if the grant is not awarded. City Manager Edward T. Blackmon said other projects could use the funds and they would remain with the department if not used for cameras.
Next steps: If grants are awarded, staff will finalize procurement and funding source decisions and return to Council as required by purchasing rules.
