Shelbyville police force purchasing body cameras

shelbyville-police-force-purchasing-body-cameras

Citing too many benefits to ignore, Shelbyville Police Chief Mark Weidner stood before the Shelbyville Common Council Monday with a proposal to purchase body cameras for the city’s police force.

The purchase proposal comes from the same company that provided the City of Shelbyville’s police force with dash cameras for police vehicles in 2022. The technology has worked so well, Weidner became convinced it was time to add body-worn cameras for officers.

“I’m sorry I didn’t do this before,” said Weidner.

The total cost for the set up for Shelbyville’s police force is $149,500. The cost will be spread over a five-year period with an $101,020.68 initial investment needed to get the equipment. The year two payment would be $22,718.98 with three yearly payments to follow at $8,586,78.

The cost includes all the hardware, software and a maintenance plan, according to Weidner.

Shelbyville police lieutenant Bart Smith presented the benefits of the body cameras to the council Monday.

“Body-worn cameras have become essential in law enforcement as it provides an objective record of interaction between police officers and the public,” said Smith. “The footage captured by these cameras can be used for evidence, training and accountability purposes promoting transparency and improving law enforcement practices.”

According to Smith, the body-worn cameras will provide the following benefits:

Shelbyville police officers currently wear microphones that are tied into the dash cam videos. The new body cameras will sync in with the current system.

“These body cameras are not just about accountability,” continued Smith. “They also are playing a role in helping officers in difficult situations. There is plenty of evidence that body cameras are doing as much good for officers as they are for the public’s confidence and law enforcement officials.”

The police department’s purchase quote is for 40 cameras. The local police department has 37 road officers, according to Smith.

The common council agreed to the purchase pending legal review of the contract. The council did not determine where the initial purchase price would come from in the budget. That would be determined at a future date with the potential for racino or EDIT funds being used in the purchase.

“I have to say when I took this job, and for many years after, I was against this … vehemently against this,” explained Weidner when pressed by Mayor Tom DeBaun about the infrastructure of the technology and warehousing data and the concern of privacy of individuals being recorded. “I started to come around with being alright with it. And now that I’ve seen the technology they have behind this and the benefit it will get us, I can’t say no anymore.”

In other council business Monday:

A presentation was delivered by representatives of Veregy regarding the savings to the city from utilizing more efficient lighting sources and solar energy panels at city facilities.

Veregy’s initial contract with the City of Shelbyville guaranteed $258,872 in savings. Veregy’s report Monday detailed that in a period from December 2020 to August of 2023, the total savings has been $773,022 or nearly $450,000 more than initially projected.

That savings to date considers lighting measures, street lighting, solar measures, roofing, mechanical measures, City Hall windows and doors, building envelope, Solar Renewable Energy Credits and a one-time lighting rebate.

Local buildings and facilities impacted include the Accel Center, Shelbyville/Shelby County Animal Shelter, Blue River Memorial Park’s softball diamonds and Splash Pad, Community Center, Fire Station No. 1 and No. 3, Meridian Park Family Aquatic Center, McKay Road pump station, and the airport terminal building and hangar.

Halloween celebrations

The council approved Halloween Trick or Treat hours for 2023. Children may trick or treat on Oct. 31 from 6 to 8 p.m.

The council also confirmed a Trunk or Treat event on Oct. 21 from noon to 3 p.m. on the Public Square. Coulston Elementary’s Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) is teaming with similar groups at Loper and Hendricks as well as Mainstreet Shelbyville to stage a family-friendly event in downtown Shelbyville.

Food trucks will be available as well as bounce houses. There will be a band to perform, according to City of Shelbyville attorney Jennifer Meltzer, who is spearheading the event.

If you would like to be part of the Trunk or Treat event, contact Meltzer at 317-398-6624 or send an email to jmeltzer@cityofshelbyvillein.com

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