One of the new vehicle digital video systems will be placed in the new Mustang, which was purchased with drug forfeiture money.
By SUE SUCHYTA
Sunday Times Newspapers
MELVINDALE – Police will receive five in-car video equipment systems as the result of two grants and drug forfeiture money.
City Council members voted Wednesday to approve the purchase. The total system cost is $32,000, which includes five mobile digital video packaged systems with two cameras each.
Police Chief Rick Cadez said the money will come from three funding sources, including a $19,000 U.S. Department of Justice Office of Community Oriented Policing Services grant through the Downriver Community Conference, a DOJ Justice Assistance Grant administered by the Wayne County Sheriff’s Department for $11,000 and $1,100 in drug forfeiture funds.
The COPS grant is earmarked for the purchase of police-related equipment; in-car video equipment is eligible.
The older style VHS cameras currently are in three of the department’s cars: a patrol car, a K-9 unit and the new motor carrier unit. In addition to replacing those units with digital cameras, two new systems will be installed in a road patrol vehicle and a Ford Mustang recently purchased by the department.
Converting to digital equipment means that the older VHS tapes no longer will need to be erased and reused.