The Aurora City Council has approved using money from a federal grant to replace police and fire department laptop computers and some closed-circuit TV cameras.
Aldermen Tuesday night unanimously agreed to use money from the federal Department of Justice Office of Community Oriented Policing Services, or COPS, Technology and Equipment Program received earlier this year for the items.
The city already accepted the $2.28 million grant, which is given to provide funding for projects which improve police effectiveness and the flow of information among law enforcement agencies, local government service providers and the communities they serve, according to a city memo.
Earlier this year, the City Council approved about $1.23 million of the money for forensic lab equipment, as well as closed-circuit TV equipment.
Aldermen approved using the remaining about $1.05 million to lease laptops for both police and fire personnel, and additional CCTV equipment.
The city memo said that police officers, paramedics and fire crews need rugged laptops they can rely on in all situations and weather conditions. The laptops the city purchased have exceeded their warranty life, and the city wants to replace them with better models.
The grant would cover the first-year lease costs of $872,634. The city would look at using Emergency Telephone Service Board money to cover the second and third years, which has been done previously for both the police and fire departments.
Jeff Anderson, the city’s deputy chief information officer, said by leasing the laptops instead of buying them, the city could afford a laptop for each police officer. Buying them outright would have meant the city could only outfit about 42% of the officers, he said.
Also, by leasing, the city can give the laptops back after the three-year period, when they would be outdated and would need new software anyway.
After the laptop costs, and some other associated costs, the city would have $107,924 remaining of the original $2.28 million grant. Aurora public safety officials want to use that for any other costs related to closed-circuit TV needs.
The entire grant has to be spent by the end of 2024.
slord@tribpub.com
