The Mountain Home City Council voted Thursday night to move ahead with the purchase of a new public safety camera system, but not before a number of citizens spoke out against the system. It was a 5-3 vote to move the ordinance to its third and final reading and a 5-3 vote to approve the purchase. Voting in favor of both were council members Jennifer Baker, Jim Bodenhamer, Carry Manuel, Nick Reed and Bob Van Haaren. Voting against were Wayne Almond, Paige Evans and Susan Stockton.
Mountain Home Police Chief Eddie Griffin answered questions from both the council and multiple citizens at the meeting. Most of the citizens who spoke out against the measure said they felt the camera system infringed on their privacy.
Griffin explained how the system, which can identify vehicles and read license plates, can be beneficial to law enforcement in situations such as an Amber Alert or a criminal investigation. It will be monitored by dispatch and designated personnel will be able to review the video in certain circumstances.
The council did not pass the ordinance with an emergency clause, meaning the police department will not be able to make the $65,000 purchase for 30 days until the ordinance goes into effect.
Griffin says the company has informed him it will take about 30 days to get the system in once it has been ordered. The police chief says they hope to have the cameras operational before the end of the year.
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