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Police unveil new text-notification system and explain squad‑car replacement costs
Summary
Police launched 'Power Engage' to send text updates to callers and track incidents; staff also said price of vehicle electronics makes squad-car replacement as costly as the vehicles themselves and that retired cars are stripped and auctioned.
Police staff described new and expanded tools for communication and internal tracking, and answered council questions about vehicle replacement costs.
Chief Platts (police chief) said the department launched Power Engage the same day. "Basically, what it is is anytime that somebody calls dispatch and there is a cell phone number that's attached to it, you'll get an automatic response…If there's a case number that's created, you'll also get that in a text message," the chief said. He added the system will allow residents to receive safety messages and provide feedback to officers.
Councilors also asked about squad‑car replacement costs. The chief said the majority of the cost is equipment and electronics installed in modern patrol vehicles. "The cost of the equipment in the vehicle is as much as the vehicle," he said, and described stripping identifying materials from retired cars before auction. The council did not vote on equipment purchases during the session; vehicle replacement plans remain part of long‑range fleet planning.
