HomeMy WebLinkAbout[04g] Body Worn Camera Grant
Council Agenda Item 4g
MEETING DATE: April 20, 2020
AGENDA ITEM: Officer Body Worn Camera Grant
SUBMITTED BY: Chief of Police
BOARD/COMMISSION/COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION:
PREVIOUS COUNCIL ACTION: This is the first time we are applying for this grant. All applications
th
are due electronically by May 5, 2020.
th
BACKGROUND INFORMATION: On March 6, 2020, the US Department of Justice released a
federal grant to ease burden on smaller rural and local police agencies. This is a non-matching grant and
if successful, an applicant would be eligible for full reimbursement up to $10,000.
BUDGET/FISCAL IMPACT: If successful in securing a grant, the Body Worn Camera program would
reimburse the City of St. Joseph for 100% of the body cameras up to $10,000. The City of St. Joseph
currently has 5 squad cars all equipped with WatchGuard In Squad Cameras. WatchGuard has since
come out with their officer worn camera which is called Vista. During one up the software upgrades done
for free through the system, the camera system was updated to be Vista compatible. I contacted
WatchGuard and requested a quote for adding Vista to our current department. The financial impact of
that quote is $13,290.00. This would include body cameras for all 10 members of the department as well
as the data transfer software and technical support. The grant would offset the $13,290.00 and leave a
remaining balance of $3,290.00. That remaining amount would come from money left over in equipment
certificates or forfeiture fund with no additional fund outside of budget amounts.
ATTACHMENTS: See attached quote from WatchGuard.
REQUESTED COUNCIL ACTION:
Approve Police Chief and Administrator the ability to apply for the 2020 Body Worn Camera grant