Council keeps ALPR purchase in budget but asks for written policies, audits

Fletcher’s recommended budget preserves funding to acquire four automated license‑plate reader cameras and an associated network subscription. The presenter and council members discussed practical benefits of the technology and concerns about oversight and privacy.

A council member described the technology’s investigative value and cross‑jurisdictional benefit, saying it had been “a game changer for solvability on crimes” in prior uses. Council members asked staff to provide existing general orders or policy language that will govern when and how the tool is used, retention and dissemination rules, audit requirements and periodic reports on how the system is used locally.

Costs and operations: the transcript shows the purchase and an increase in an ongoing subscription line to support the cameras and service. Presenter said there is an ongoing operating expense tied to the vendor subscription and recommended tracking use metrics to justify the expenditure.

Policy and oversight: council members requested that the police department provide its policies or a draft general order explaining investigative uses, triggers for queries, data retention limits and audit procedures before larger rollout. The group also discussed vendor materials (the company site was cited) and emphasized that town policy should dictate local practice and revocation authority if policies change.

Next steps: staff agreed to provide copies of the department policies or a draft general order and to track metrics on camera utility. The budget retains the appropriation for the devices and subscription, subject to council oversight and later formal adoption of the full budget.