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Laconia council accepts $26,405 Homeland Security grant for police equipment after public concern about ICE involvement
Summary
After a brief public hearing with a resident expressing concern about potential ties to ICE, Laconia’s City Council approved acceptance of a $26,405 Department of Homeland Security grant to buy equipment for the police SWAT/SOU team, including binoculars, flashlights, eye protection and radio mic assemblies.
The Laconia City Council voted Jan. 26 to accept a $26,405 award from the New Hampshire Department of Safety’s Homeland Security Grant Program to purchase equipment for the Laconia Police Department’s SWAT/SOU unit.
Mayor Bordes opened a public hearing on Resolution 2026-1. Lisa Morin (Ward 2) said she was concerned about the City’s involvement with Immigration and Customs Enforcement and asked whether accepting the grant could lead to future obligations that would involve more serious collaboration with ICE. Councilor Soucy responded that the grant was applied for by the Laconia Police Department on behalf of the county and that there are no obligations tied to accepting the grant; funds would be used to buy supplies. Councilor Hoffman added that the list of approved purchases included binoculars and flashlights and did not imply other operational arrangements.
The record lists the approved purchases and estimated costs: 15 binoculars ($13,500), 20 flashlights ($4,000), 20 items of eye protection ($3,000), and 20 radio mic assemblies for gas masks ($5,905), totaling $26,405. Following waivers of full reading and a second reading, the Council approved Resolution 2026-01 and authorized the City Manager to sign related documents; final votes were unanimous, 6-0.
The meeting record does not indicate any binding operational agreement with ICE or other federal agencies arising from acceptance of this equipment grant; staff described the award as fully covering the equipment with no local match required.
