Weirton discussing body camera purchase for police department
Officials working to upgrade equipment of the city’s police department
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WEIRTON -- The city is working to upgrade the equipment of its police department with the purchase of new body cameras.
The proposal was discussed by the city's Finance Committee Wednesday morning, with members unanimously recommending a resolution accepting a grant from the Department of Justice for $17,402.50.
The grant is through the Small, Rural and Tribal Law Enforcement Agencies Body-Worn Camera Program.
City Manager Mike Adams explained the police department does have body cameras in its current arsenal; however, the cameras' are not always reliable.
"They are failing at times because of their age and wear," Adams noted.
Police Chief Charlie Kush reported one of the problems is with the batteries for the cameras, which he said have started to expand because of their age, resulting in more damage to the units. The cost to repair the units has been increasing, he said, making the purchase of new cameras a better opportunity financially.
"It costs just as much to repair them now," Kush said.
Kush noted, while the city has had more than 30 body cameras in its possession, only 27 are operational, and officers often are sharing the units. In particular, he said one body camera is shared among all officers in the department's detectives division.
As part of the grant, for which the city applied in June, 38 new body cameras would be purchased, with the grant covering half the cost and the city taking care of the remainder.
Finance Director Diana Smoljanovich assured the Finance Committee the Weirton Police Department has the funds to cover the purchase.
The resolution to accept the grant will go before the full Weirton Council Monday for its consideration. Council is scheduled to meet at 7 p.m. in the council chambers of the Weirton Municipal Building.
In other business, Smoljanovich presented the committee with a change order for the ongoing project to repair the southern wall of the Millsop Community Center. She explained the current phase of the project has used approximately $390,000 of the $500,000 council allotted.