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Stephens City council approves funds to buy police body cameras
Summary
After a Public Safety Committee briefing on costs and a recommendation, the Stephens City Council voted unanimously to allocate funds to purchase body cameras for the police department; staff reported an initial cost and an annual fee with an early-registration discount.
Stephens City’s Town Council voted to allocate funds for body-worn cameras for the police department following a report from its Public Safety Committee.
Public Safety Chair Ronald Bowers summarized committee discussion that contrasted two public-safety priorities: a proposed traffic signal at Mulberry and Fairfax — for which the Virginia Department of Transportation told the town it would be liable for installation costs — and the acquisition of police body cameras. Sgt. Scott Baber provided cost information the committee considered: an initial fee of $7,500 and an annual fee of $3,500, and he said the town could save $2,500 if registration is submitted by Jan. 24. Councilman Joseph Hollis moved to allocate funds for body cameras; the motion passed with recorded ayes from Bowers, Fravel, Hollis, Nauman, Swygert-Smith and Thatcher.
Why it matters: body cameras are presented in the meeting as a tool to reduce liability and protect officers and the public. The council’s allocation authorizes staff to proceed toward procurement; the council did not adopt a specific contract at the meeting.
Council action and next steps: the recorded motion authorized the funding allocation; staff or the relevant committee are expected to follow up on procurement details and any vendor deadlines that affect the $2,500 savings noted by Sgt. Baber. The meeting did not record a vendor selection or contract vote.
