Police get dash cams

Council approves purchase yet this year

— City council members, on Monday, gave unanimous approval to a resolution expanding a budgeted line item for the purchase of dash cameras for the police department.

The council had previously approved a bid for $49,429 from Martel Electronics for 10 dash cam units - one for each of Gentry’s police vehicles. However, when the police department asked for a demonstration unit before making the purchase, they found that the unit in the bid package did not meet the department’s needs, in part because of failure to record audio when the offi cer exited the patrol vehicle.

After more research and learning that the next two lowest bidders were also bidding on a similar product that would not meet the department’s needs, the department recommended the bid of Watchguard Videos for $63,765.

According to Gentry’s police chief, Keith Smith, the department had been able to see how the dash cameraswork at other area departments and to obtain honest reviews of the product from other law enforcement agencies.

Smith called the Watchguard Videos’ camera “head and shoulder above the rest,” providing quality video inside and outside the police cars and providing audio when police exit their cars and go up to doors or around buildings.

The dash cams are equipped to provide a secure audio and video recording of officers on patrol, and the recording is uploaded by WiFi to a secure server (which is part of the package) in the police station when the patrol vehicle is parked at the station, removing the need for officers to download data and removing opportunity for any tampering with the recording before it is stored as evidence at the police station.

Kevin Johnston, Gentry’s mayor, said the council could take more time and revisit the purchase next year or add to the line item for this year and possibly take advantageof some end-of-year special pricing which could reduce the cost below the bid price or, at least, lower the price enough to include taxes in the bid price. He also said the department had received a $4,000 donation from McKee Foods Corporation and McKee Foods Foundation to help with the purchase.

“I don’t want to rush into anything,” said Councilman Michael Crawford, “but we’re setting ourselves up every day.”

Councilman James Furgason expressed concerns that the city be sure it is not buying outdated electronics and that parts and service would be available after the purchase.

Jay Williams, city attorney, said legal fees to defend against a lawsuit for use of excessive force could easily be as much as the purchase price of the dash cams. He suggested that the dash cam videos might also prevent the need to go to trial in some criminal and traffi c cases.

After further discussion with Chief Smith and his assurances that other departments were very pleased with the product and had received outstanding service with any problems, the council voted to approve the purchase this year.

In other business, the council approved an extension of the city’s mowing contract with Lemke Lawns and approved holding an employee appreciation dinner on Dec. 12, with plans for the dinner to be held at the Wooden Spoon Restaurant.

No action was taken on a request from Terrie Chavez (formerly Terrie Ocheltree) to receive retirement pay legislated for city clerks of cities of the first class for her years of service in Gentry while the city was yet a city of the second class. Previous councils have also taken no action in regard to granting her retirement pay for her 10 years of service to the city as recorder/treasurer - from January of 1982 until December of 1992.

According to Jay Williams, city attorney, at the council’s November meeting, Gentry was not a city of the first class at the time Chavez was a full-time employee and was not bound by the law which requires cities of the fi rst class to pay retirement to certain elected employees who serve for 10 years or more. He also pointed out that the council at the time of Chavez’ employment did not approve retirement pay, and the council in 2008 did not grant her request for it.

After Furgason suggested the matter be given careful consideration because of its far-reaching ramifications, the matter was referred to the personnel committee to discuss at its November meeting. Jason Barrett, chairman of the committee, brought back the committee recommendation that the council take no action on the request.

“I’m very disappointed in the Gentry City Council’s decision tonight of ‘no action is required’ concerning my city retirement,” Chavez wrote in an electronic communication on Monday night. “On Aug. 30, 2013, my request to the mayor and city council was, ‘after careful study of applicable legal direction, I ask for the proper decision, therebymaintaining the integrity of my civil rights.’”

Johnston asked the council to review the proposed budget as adjusted with some newly-available figures. It will be brought back for approval at a future meeting, possibly yet this month.

News, Pages 1 on 12/04/2013