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Issaquah council accepts $452,477 grant for police tasers; delays any ALPR deployment until council passes policy
Summary
The Issaquah City Council unanimously approved acceptance of a $452,477 congressional grant to replace aging tasers and interview‑room cameras for the police department, and adopted a resolution that terminates the city’s Flock Safety MOU and requires a publicly considered ordinance before any future city action on automated license‑plate readers (ALPRs).
The Issaquah City Council unanimously approved a resolution on June 1 accepting $452,477 in federal discretionary funding to replace conducted energy devices (tasers) and to repair interview‑room camera equipment for the Issaquah Police Department.
Assistant to the city administrator Dale Marquee Crimp told the council that an updated vendor quote showed taser replacement would consume most of the award, and recommended the funding be used for tasers and interview‑room cameras rather than 12 Flock Safety ALPR cameras the original grant application had listed. "The money will only be spent on tasers and interview room camera equipment," Crimp said, and the proposed resolution also acknowledges termination of the city's memorandum of understanding with Flock Safety and requires that any future ALPR policy "be developed, publicly considered, and adopted by ordinance by the City Council before any future city action is taken on this technology." (Dale Marquee Crimp)
Why it matters: Council members and multiple public commenters said they heard strong community concerns about ALPR systems, data security, and potential external access to camera feeds. That feedback, plus the higher-than-expected cost to replace tasers, led the administration to recommend the narrower use of the grant and to pause any ALPR purchases until a formal ordinance is drafted and adopted.
What the council decided: Council President Marts moved to approve Resolution 2026‑13 authorizing acceptance of $452,477 for tasers and interview‑room equipment and to restrict city action on ALPRs until a policy is adopted; the motion passed unanimously. The administration said it will pursue necessary procurement steps for tasers and return to council once purchases exceed the city’s procurement threshold. Staff also said they will return with a draft ALPR policy for public review and council consideration, targeted for a July policy discussion before any ordinance drafting.
Voices from the public and council: Community members and local advocates had previously urged strict limits on ALPR deployment and strong safeguards for data and retention. Cheryl Smith of East Side Pride Pacific Northwest, speaking earlier in the meeting about Pride Month, said community gestures matter: "This is the first time saying these words in public… Isquah's created a space where my child can visit and know they're welcome, safe, and respected." (Cheryl Smith) Council members praised staff for responsiveness and said the resolution balanced public‑safety equipment needs with due process on surveillance policy.
Next steps: If the council approves accepting the grant, staff will proceed with procurement for tasers and the interview‑room camera repairs and will bring a draft ALPR policy to the council for public consideration before any ordinance is introduced. The grant acceptance and the requirement for an ALPR ordinance were explicit conditions of the resolution approved June 1.
