City Commission approval needed for police technology upgrade
Mount Pleasant Police Lt. Paul Lauria told the Mount Pleasant City Commission the department is using an outdated system for information after pulling over vehicles.
“Right now officers see very little information,” Lauria said. “Whatever the dispatcher puts in is what they’re limited to. If they come in contact with someone, they can do a simple file check by running their names, but they can’t search local records."
"They would have to drive back to the police department and check records in-house.”
Lauria presented information about a management system to improve public safety by bringing outdated technology in line with the 21st century at Monday’s City Commission meeting.
The Regional Records Management System Project uses Sungard Public Sector, allowing police officers to gain more information about the people they encounter on a daily basis.
The project partners the Mount Pleasant Police Department, Central Michigan University Police, Isabella County Sheriff’s Department, Shepherd Police Department, Michigan State Police, Tribal Police, and several others and is used in 23 states and over 100 police agencies in Michigan.
“The primary priority was to procure technology advancements,” Lauria said. “Funding this project is going to be a primary concern, and it would have no impact from the city’s general fund, and we’re still on track for doing that.”
Lauria said finalizing contract negotiations is still in the works and he hopes to bring the program back to the board by the end of the year for approval.
Lauria said currently police officers enter the information of an individual six times to gain records, but with this new program one swipe of a driver’s license is all that is needed.
“The officer has all the information at their fingertips, allowing us to be cutting edge and have improved efficiency,” he said. “We’re getting rid of a lot of paper, and there’s a cost savings there.”
Lauria said the main benefits to the community are increased crime solvability, statistical analysis, available information, resource management and safer neighborhoods.
“The biggest value I see in this is the safety of our officers,” said Commissioner Nancy English. “You don’t know what’s going on, or who you pulled over.”
Other business
A public hearing was held about the Redevelopment Liquor License for the Gingko Tree Inn, 309 N. Main St., where a citizen expressed concern regarding an increased number of drunken incidents near his home on North Main Street.
Commissioner Jim Holton said choosing which businesses have the license is a careful process.
“It comes down to the character of ownership,” Holton said. “I don’t see this being a late night establishment. This is going to be a bed and bistro with casual dining. It’s doing exactly what the development license was supposed to do.”
The board also accepted a $99,743 grant from the Michigan Energy Office for Lighting Technology Demonstration, which will authorize Finance Director Nancy Ridley to complete necessary documents. Board members agreed this will reduce the carbon footprint and conserve energy.
“It’s always nice to have some extra money,” Commissioner Jon Joslin said. “I’ve been concerned that we’re not seeing the savings from Consumer’s (Energy) that we needed.”
City Manager Kathie Grinzinger said measurements are being taken now regarding savings in the new downtown lighting. The 250 watt bulbs will be replaced with 70 watt bulbs, creating a more white light with the same level of illumination.
