Hinesville City Council members were informed May 16 that the police department wants to apply for a grant to buy additional body worn cameras (BWC). The overall total for the cameras will be $18,000 for 20 cameras, $900 each. The grant application request was approved. The HPD has actually been using body worn cameras since 2012, however, issues with long term data storage, the inability to redact names and faces from footage, as well as a slew of other issues increased the need for better cameras, according to Police Chief Bill Kirkendall.
Kirkendall told the Courier, that HPD performed several field trials from a number of manufacturers before settling on LensLock cameras. “They are a high quality, durable camera that works in all types of weather conditions,” Kirkendall said. “I saw it as a way to expand our BWC program at little or no expense to the public. Adding an additional 20 cameras will enable the department to issue them to every supervisor and narcotics detective; they currently wear a cheaper camera and the data is stored on local servers. Having all of the video files in one location makes finding the files much easier and eases the burden of locating the videos every time discovery is filed, a complaint is made, or there is an open records request.”
The Hinesville City Council congratulated the Bradwell track team during their meeting on May 16. The Tigers track team placed second in the State Championships early May and received certifications of achievement from the mayor and councilmembers.
A 2020 Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) Grant was approved for improvement to South Main Street and Ryon Avenue, from Memorial Drive to US Hwy 84.
Councilmember Riles nominated Karen Branson to fill the unexpired term of Irene McCall, who submitted a letter of resignation from the Hinesville Housing Authority Board. The nomination was approved. McCall’s resignation will take effect May 31, 2019.
Councilmember Riles appointed Alicia Jackson-Hall to the Youth Council Advisory Board which was approved by the rest of the councilmembers.
Sabrina Newby of the Coastal Georgia Minority Chamber requested a one-day permit to sell beer and wine during the Motown Revue. The request was approved. The Motown Revue will be held on June 15, 2019 at Bryant Commons from 12 p.m. until 10 p.m.
An executive session was held to discuss retail estate matters. They ruled to take action at another time.