WEIRTON — Weirton Council has authorized an appropriation from the city’s allotment of American Rescue Plan funds to expand the fleet of the Weirton Police Department, although additional funds will be needed after an adjustment was made during Tuesday’s council meeting.
Council unanimously agreed to set aside up to $950,000 in ARP funds “for the purpose of Weirton Police Department vehicles.” The funding an purchase of the vehicles will allow the city to institute a new take-home program for the Weirton Police Department.
Prior to voting on the funding proposal, Ward 5 Councilwoman Flora Perrone expressed appreciation to Patrolman Brandon Palmeri, who she and others have noted was instrumental in developing the initial proposal for a take-home program for the police department.
“I wanted to thank Officer Palmeri for doing the homework, and educating myself and the other councilmembers on this program for the future of our police department,” Perrone said.
Unanimous approval was given on resolutions for the purchase of the 15 all-wheel-drive 2022 Ford Explorers at an amount not to exceed $596,743.20, the upfitting of the 15 vehicles at a cost of up to $218,075.85, and the purchase of 15 Kenwood NX5700 mobile radios at a price of up to $23,636.25.
“This may be the last year we negotiate the prices,” Ward 3 Councilman Fred Marsh noted of the costs for the purchase of the cars, saying many companies are adopting a program of setting a particular price and not offering any discounts or special offers.
City Manager Mike Adams added the city was fortunate to be able to acquire so many 2022 models, as the 2023 vehicles would have cost $8,000 more per car. It’s a trend he sees continuing.
“Next year, it’s going up, and the year after that it’s going up,” Adams said.
A question, however, was raised with a resolution to purchase in-car camera systems. The initial proposal was for 11 Coban camera systems at a cost of $85,162. Marsh questioned why there would be only 11 cameras purchased, but 15 cars. Police Chief Charlie Kush said the 11 cars would be for the department’s patrol division, with the other four cars assigned to officers in charge positions.
Marsh, though, expressed his wish to equip all of the vehicles with cameras, noting concerns of safety and liability.
“If they have a light and siren, they ought to have a camera,” Marsh said.
City Attorney Vince Gurrera agreed.
“How much does it really save us, because it could save us from a huge lawsuit,” he said.
Marsh offered an amendment to the resolution, making the purchase for 15 cameras at a cost of up to $120,000, with the amendment approved 6-1, with Councilman Terry Weigel voting against, and the final resolution approved unanimously.
Kush noted, with the increased price for the cameras, the ARP funding allotment also would need to be increased, with some on council saying a special meeting could be scheduled if needed to make the adjustment.
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