By Rod Rose/The Lebanon Reporter
Lebanon — Lebanon — All 25 of the Lebanon Police Department’s cruisers will be equipped with new video cameras, with the $132,715 cost coming from two funds.
Chief Tom Garoffolo had asked that the city buy 18 of the units, with $97,540 in food and beverage tax revenue.
Councilman Steve Large asked if other funds were available, so all the cars could have new cameras. “I just feel like we should do it now,” Large said.
“We haven’t spent hardly any” of the money in a County Option Income Tax savings fund, replied Councilman Dick Robertson.
Digital Ally, the vendor, will furnish the cameras, wireless and video software, installation and other items, said Clerk-Treasurer Debbie Ottinger.
in other business:
n Robertson asked why the police department wasn’t enforcing an ordinance prohibiting parking on sidewalks, igniting a debate with Mayor Huck Lewis, Garoffolo and councilmen Mike Kincaid and Brent Wheat.
“Somewhere down the line, you have to ... give a ticket,” Robertson said.
Tickets aren’t always the answer, said Wheat, who is an LPD lieutenant.
“Enforcement isn’t measured in tickets; enforcement is measured in solving problems,” Wheat said.
“I don’t disagree with trying to solve the problem first,” Robertson replied, “ ... somewhere down the line you have to ... give a ticket.”
For more of the story see Wednesday's Lebanon Reporter.
