Police chief asks trustees to approve five license‑plate 'flock' cameras while seeking grant help

The police chief told Ross Township trustees he wants permission to install five license‑plate (“flock”) cameras to give officers immediate alerts on stolen vehicles and other leads and asked the board to pursue grant funding to cover startup costs.

The chief said the project would begin with five cameras and an initial setup charge, and he urged trustees to support applying for a state violence‑reduction grant that, in other jurisdictions, paid the first‑year setup. “I would like the board approval for five flock cameras to help protect the town,” he said, adding he would keep seeking grant money before committing township funds.

Why it matters: the system would extend police detection capability across the township’s main routes, allowing officers to be alerted to vehicles of interest and to respond proactively. The chief said his experience in a prior department showed license‑plate systems can significantly increase solved burglaries and stolen‑vehicle recoveries.

Cost and grants: the chief cited an initial startup figure during the presentation (stating “initial startup cost for this project 21,250” during discussion) and described a multi‑year subscription commitment thereafter, noting a longer five‑year contract figure discussed during the meeting. He repeatedly said he intends to prioritize grant funding and would defer other purchases if the grant is not available. Trustees asked for clarity on where the recurring subscription would come from and whether the township budget could sustain it without external aid.

Privacy and budget tradeoffs: some trustees raised privacy and budget concerns, saying surveillance systems risk “Big Brother”‑style overreach and that ongoing subscription fees would compete with employee and capital needs. The chief acknowledged both concerns while arguing the cameras would function as a force multiplier for a small department and could be justified if they reduce victimization and generate forfeiture funds that could be reinvested.

Next steps: the chief said he will continue pursuing available grants (including a violence‑reduction program referenced in his presentation) and return to the board with a clearer breakdown of first‑year and recurring costs if the trustees want to consider moving forward. No final approval for procurement was taken at the meeting; the chief framed the request as seeking board support to pursue funding and begin grant applications.