· Related development
Council approves 18 Verkada intersection cameras after public comment
Council pulls consent item 4.7, a $128,404.26 purchase of Verkada camera systems from Control Technologies adding 18 traffic cameras at intersections for 10 years (funded by a Panhandle Regional Planning Commission homeland security grant of $127,533.26 and $871 from the general fund), hears Police Chief Thomas Hover, and approves it with the consent agenda 4-0 (Councilmember Tipps absent). NewsChannel10 reports that speakers raised privacy concerns and that Flock license plate reader cameras had operated citywide since 2021.[1][2]
Cole StanleyThomas HoverLes SimpsonTim ReidDavid PrescottControl Technologies, Inc.
What the sources say
- ✓ Verified
Consent item 4.7 bought Verkada camera systems from Control Technologies (OMNIA R220703) adding 18 traffic cameras at intersections for 10 years, for $128,404.26: $127,533.26 from a Panhandle Regional Planning Commission homeland security grant and $871 from general fund revenues. It was pulled for presentation by Chief Hover, then approved with the consent agenda 4-0 (Stanley, Reid, Prescott, Simpson; Tipps absent). [1]
- Amount
- $128,404
- Grant
- $127,533
- General fund
- $871
- Cameras
- 18
- ✓ Verified
Cole Stanley, Mayor: Mayor Cole Stanley said the cameras would focus on intersections rather than private homes or businesses and that the system is not facial recognition or tracking, and said residents could be given a way to see where camera data goes and how long it is kept. [2]