City of Wood Dale Public Health, Safety, Judiciary & Ethics Committee met Jan. 9.
Here is the minutes provided by the committee:
Present: Ald. Catalano, Jakab, Messina, Sorrentino, Susmarski (7:20pm), E. Wesley & Woods (7:14pm)
Absent: Ald. R. Wesley
Also Present: Mayor Pulice, City Manager Mermuys, Treasurer Porch, Police Chief Vesta, A. Lange, B. Garelli, E. Cage, K. Buggy, A. Walczak, N. Kace
Meeting Convened at: 7:00 p.m.
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES:
The minutes of the October 24, 2019 meeting were approved as presented.
REPORT & RECOMMENDATION
PURCHASE OF IN-CAR SQUAD CAMERA SYSTEMS
DISCUSSION:
Chief Vesta reported the Police Department has had an in-car camera system since late 1990’s. They have used Panasonic Arbitrators for the past ten years, but those now need replacing as repairs are very expensive. He reviewed usage of the cameras, including how essential they are for DUI prosecution and review of any citizen complaints/concerns. He originally budgeted $310,000 in the CIP over five years to be funded from the DUI Technology fund. It was decided at this time to replace the squad cameras with ability for adding body cameras in the future. All systems reviewed are compatible with squad cameras. Staff conducted a 30-day trial and reviewed concerns about implementation and what would be involved. They obtained quotes from three vendors which varied from $67,090 (includes $5,000 trade-in) to $141,320 for ten squads. Staff agreed Panasonic is the preferred vendor due to several factors including price/trade-in, onsite storage, it is upgradeable, and has a Unified Evidence management program included. There was discussion regarding the pros and cons of the three vendors’ products. Ald. Messina expressed his concerns about storage ability and preference of Axon. Mr. Kace assured him the city has massive amount of storage space there is no reason not to store on site. Chief Vesta noted that they are also constantly purging data. Ald. Messina wants to ensure the true costs are being considered, including any soft costs. Mr. Kace is more concerned with ram and processing power if body cameras are eventually added. He noted that as far as security, it is not if the city gets hacked, but when. Nothing that can be done to protect an organization 100% and most attacks are ransom requests. Ald. Woods asked if the system will be labor intensive. Chief Vesta stated the department follows any state or accreditation guidelines for how long to keep information. With these systems, Police staff will no longer have to burn DVD’s and flash drives for court cases which take a considerable amount of time.
VOTE:
Ald. Woods made a motion, seconded by Ald. Susmarski, to approve the purchase of a new Panasonic Arbitrator in-car squad camera system for ten patrol vehicles from CDS Technologies in a not to exceed amount of $67,090.00. This purchase would be made from the DUI Technology Fund. A roll call vote was taken, with the following results:
Ayes: Ald. Catalano, Jakab, Sorrentino, Susmarski & Woods
Nays: Ald. Messina and E. Wesley
Abstained: None
Motion: Carried
REPORT & RECOMMENDATION:
PURCHASE OF TASERS FOR POLICE DEPARTMENT
DISCUSSION:
Chief Vesta reported the department has been using Tasers since 2002. All sworn personnel carry them and they have proven very effective. He reviewed usage of incidents where this equipment was used; there were 21 incidents where individuals became compliant just from display of the taser. Every time a taser is displayed, the officer writes a full report which is reviewed by staff with final review by the Chief to ensure departmental policy is followed. He shared a video clip of an incident where the taser was effective in stopping a bank robber from attacking an officer. He reviewed what the package includes. Aldermen Sorrentino pointed out that this equipment is effective since there was not one loss of life during usage.
VOTE:
Ald. Catalano made a motion, seconded by Ald. Jakab, to approve the purchase of 35 new yellow Taser 7’s for the Police Department to be paid over a five year period from Axon Enterprises in a not to exceed amount of $81,972.80. A roll call vote was taken, with the following results:
Ayes: Ald. Catalano, Jakab, Messina, Sorrentino, Susmarski, E. Wesley & Woods
Nays: None
Abstained: None
Motion: Carried
ITEMS TO BE CONSIDERED AT FUTURE MEETINGS:
None
ADJOURNMENT:
The meeting adjourned at 7:57 p.m.
https://www.wooddale.com/home/showdocument?id=6046
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