Henderson council approves contract to install 25 license-plate cameras citywide

The Henderson City Council on March 13 unanimously approved Resolution 23-05 to reallocate police department funds and enter a contract with Flock Safety to deploy license-plate reader (LPR) cameras across the city.

Police Chief Marcus Barrow told council the department has used electronic data from outside locations, including LPR results, to obtain warrants and charge three people in a recent homicide investigation. “Because of this data, they were able to get warrants and ultimately charge three individuals,” Barrow said, describing LPRs as a key investigative tool that captures plate images and vehicle characteristics that can be matched to sightings.

Barrow outlined a proposed deployment of 25 cameras. He said captured LPR data would be retained for 30 days and that cameras are visible to the public. He recommended using asset-forfeiture funds to pay a one-time installation fee and covering recurring subscription costs from the budget freed by one vacant police officer position. Barrow also said the vendor’s per-camera price is set to increase by $500 at the end of the coming month and that contract lengths might range from two to five years; the longer term would allow locking in current pricing.

Council discussion included questions about camera siting and fairness; Barrow said location choices would be “completely data driven, fair, and transparent.” Councilmember Melissa Elliott, who moved the motion, said she researched LPRs and found them valuable for investigations and department workload. Councilmember Ola Thorpe-Cooper seconded the motion and it passed unanimously (see Resolution Book 7).

The council’s action authorizes staff to reallocate the identified funds and proceed with contracting. The item was discussed in the meeting’s work session and approved during the regular meeting; no formal council vote record by individual roll call appears in the minutes beyond the unanimous approval.