Cruisers and cameras for WM Police Dept.

Cruisers and cameras for WM Police Dept.

City Council approves purchase of additional Sky Cop, body cams for WMPD

news@theeveningtimes.com

The West Memphis Police Department is spending money to maintain its fleet and add surveillance cameras in the city. Police Commission secretary, Councilwoman Lorraine Robinson, delivered the report to City Council during the first meeting in April.

City Council approved the spending as part of the police budget this year. It was not an unbridled spending spree. In fact, the police opted to forego the purchase of new body cameras with a technology grant. Police opted instead for Sky Cop pole cameras.

The police evaluated the a couple brands of body cameras before postponing a decision to move forward.

“We had asked the police to do an extensive evaluation on the use of body cams,” said Robinson.

“They presented the results for their comprehensive evaluation during our March commission meeting. Chief Oakes recommended to the commission that the police department wait to purchase the cameras.

There were a number of reasons. It is not cost efficient at this time. The body cameras will be more cost efficient in the near future. Privacy and concerns with the Freedom of information act were concerns.”

Conflicting legal issues were a factor in the wait and see decision on body cameras. Robinson reported that when an officer’s body camera was on in a person’s home that the expectation of privacy became and issue.

“The Freedom of Information Act — when a body cam is on in a home it may become a public record,” said Robinson.

“We are concerned with citizen privacy.”

Police determined more sky cops would be a better use of its technology budget. Fourteen police cameras dot the city. The newest one is near Cracker Barrel. Police determined cameras in the restaurant and hotel areas would significantly deter crime. Private enterprise agreed.

“Cracker Barrel donated $6,500 to the police foundation for a Sky Cop to be placed there,” said Robinson.

More pole cameras were planned. Police expected a total of 19 cameras mounted in high traffic and tourist corridors by year end.

Police asked the commission for permission to buy its replacement vehicles now. Only a few remained at the state contract price. The price was right. Costs were forecast to escalate $3,000 per vehicle.

“The commission approved buying 2018 cars,” said Robinson.

“The savings amounts to $15,000 for five cars.”

By John Rech