Squad Car Cameras

The Breezy Point Police Department has had squad car cameras for a good number of years. These video systems have become outmoded so there was a need for the replacement of the system, software and cameras.  The existing system requires storage of video files on our computer server serving the city as a whole taking up storage space there.  This was creating a need for additional storage space of digital files.  A better solution was needed to addressing the older technology in cameras and a storage solution for the videos.

After review of the options available a new camera system and server was purchased in 2015.  This system provides for video storage and automatic downloads of the data on its own system.  A squad car replacement was accomplished in 2015 that included a new camera system.  It uses the new video server system to store the video data.     The server and one camera system was all the budget could accommodate in 2015.  The new camera system to outfit the remaining squad cars was budgeted for 2016.   

The change in systems provides a few benefits.  The system is using new technology.  The automatic downloads occur when the squad car is close enough to the server to download wirelessly.  With this type of exchange the possibility of errors is almost eliminated.  There is no issue with the chain of evidence.  Having a dedicated server for car videos is a benefit in that all video data is isolated from remaining data and it frees up space on the city computer server dealing with other city functions.

Five video cameras were approved for purchase at a cost of $25,465.  These will be installed as soon as possible. 

Skid Steer Replacement

The Public Works Department of the city relies on a good deal of heavy equipment to get their jobs done.  We think of plow trucks and perhaps a grader in defining that equipment.  There are other types of equipment owned and used by the city.  In addition we have a loader, backhoe, dozer and a skid steer among other things. Periodically this equipment needs to be replaced. 

The city had a 2003 Cat 247 Skid Steer that had exceeded its time for replacement.  It was felt this could be traded in for a replacement model.  A price was received on the state bids for the replacement and the dealer had given us a trade in value of the old machine.  It was felt we could do better by advertising the unit for sale ourselves.  The unit was placed on Craig’s List for sealed bids.  The city received 4 bids on the sale of this skid steer which all exceeded the trade in value.  The winning bid was $2,650 higher than the trade in quote providing for a private sale. 

The replacement Skid Steer, a Cat 257D was approved for purchase.  The purchase price under the state bid was $53,177.  This cost was offset by the sale of the 2003 Cat 247 Skid Steer making the net cost $34,527.  Funds for the purchase were budgeted for in 2016 with resources coming from the sewer and general funds.