Three improvement projects supporting the Leander Police Department operations will be set in motion following the city’s request for $236,000 in Community Project Funding assistance, which was greenlighted by City Council April 6.

Projects include:
  • $175,000 for a dispatch radio console, which expands the capabilities of the city's emergency communications division and improves public safety operations. Following recent improvements to the LPD communications center, it can now support up to four workstations, but only three are fully equipped. This project will allow functionality for all four workstations.
  • $50,000 for license plate recognition cameras to support police investigations. If these cameras are acquired, they could be placed near high-traffic intersections or areas of known criminal activity and assist officers of all police divisions with investigation of criminal activity.
  • $11,000 for a forensic computer workstation that supports police detective work involving analysis of data collections used for ongoing investigations. This purchase will replace an older system.
The city’s request is for Federal Community Project Funding assistance within the category of "Community Oriented Policing Services, or COPS, Technology and Equipment" for projects in support of LPD, according to April 6 meeting documents.

COPS Technology and Equipment projects support law enforcement efforts at all levels to secure equipment needed for quicker response times, officer safety improvements and community relations enhancements.

If Leander receives this funding, the equipment will be scheduled for purchase sometime in fiscal year 2023-24, which starts Oct. 1 and ends on Sept. 30 in 2024.