Published Monday, March 08, 2010

Newnan Police looking to purchase new camera system

By Elizabeth Melville

The Newnan Times-Herald

Newnan City Council will consider whether or not to spend nearly $184,000 for a high visibility crime suppression camera system for the Newnan Police Department at Tuesday's 2:30 p.m. meeting at city hall.

The current system has 22 cameras, but the new system would allow the department to add up to 60 camera sites within the city of Newnan over time, including some around the interstate, according to Chief Douglas L. "Buster" Meadows.

The request to replace and upgrade the camera system was sent out in November and the city received three bids that were all over budget. The police department worked with the low bidder -- Wind Channel Communications -- to bring the cost down closer to budget, according to the chief.

"These cameras have been a big help in observing intersections and crime areas where we know drugs were being sold," said Meadows.

The project -- which would cost a total of $183,982 -- would be funded from drug condemnation funds and $75,430 from the federal Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program.