The license plate readers will cost the city $27,500 to purchase and a $25,000 annual recurring fee, according to the agenda packet. Police Chief Anthony Solomon said the city is renting the equipment since the cost to own the cameras is too high.
Solomon said the cameras will help the city solve crimes and coordinate investigations with other police departments.
“With those license plate readers here in town, it gives us an edge on if something happens while an officer is gone; we have an investigative chance the next day to find out exactly what happened,” Solomon said at the meeting.
Solomon said the cameras will be placed around the city instead of in police cars. Mayor Sara Countryman said she thinks the cameras are a wise investment for the city.
“I’ve talked to folks who are in the [police department] in Conroe, and they have found that they are able to solve crimes much quicker and faster due to this technology,” Countryman said during the meeting.
Council Member Julie Davis was the only one who voted against the purchase, citing concerns about having too many cameras for the small city and the effect it might have on officer availability. Council Member Byron Sanford was not present at the meeting.
The city also approved participation in the Volunteers in Public Service program, which provides support and resources for police agencies with a volunteer program. Solomon said the police department already has volunteers who have gone through Montgomery County’s Citizen’s Academy.
“[Volunteers in Public Service] gives us a little more leeway to do policing and have [volunteers] do those things that doesn’t really take a policeman to do,” Solomon said.
