The Aurora City Council will vote Tuesday on using money from a federal grant to replace police and fire laptop computers and some closed-circuit TV cameras.
Aldermen will vote on using money from the federal Department of Justice Office of Community Oriented Policing Services, or COPS, Technology and Equipment Program received earlier this year.
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 CCTV equipment.
What aldermen will vote on Tuesday is using the remaining about $1.05 million to buy laptops for both the police and fire departments, and additional CCTV equipment.
The city memo said that police officers, paramedics and fire crews need “ruggedized” 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.
After the laptop costs, and some other associated costs, the city would have $107,924 remaining of the original $2.28 million grant. 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
