By: Lydia Crawley
The Parsons Advocate
The City of Parsons will soon have its first License Plate Reader Camera in place. City of Parsons Police Chief Kevin Keplinger informed the City of Parsons Council of the development February 18th. “Talked with…Brooks Police Supply today, actually it was yesterday, we are moving ahead with the license plate reader camera system,” Keplinger said.
The camera system will be funded through Federal Congressionally Directed Spending, according to Keplinger and has been pending budget approval by the government. “We did get Congressionally Directed Spending, it was approved clear up until the budget and we are waiting on the federal budget last year to finally be approved to finally get the funding,” Keplinger said.
Keplinger said that Brooks Police Supply would be sending the City a test camera in the next week or so to place within the City. “We are going to be receiving one test LPR camera,” Keplinger said. “Should have it in the next week or two.”
Keplinger said he is currently looking at areas to place the camera. “I’m looking at some areas to set it up in,” Keplinger said.
Keplinger said he and City Administrator Michael Simmons would need to get together to discuss options for placement of the test unit as it requires electrical access. “I need a utility pole with A/C power access,” Keplinger said.
As part of the process, Keplinger said he went to Elkins to confirm that the test system would communicate and would be compatible with other area agencies. “I went to Elkins today just to confirm with Elkins PD, it is the exact same system, the exact same network that Elkins is running, that Philippi is running, Buckhannon’s running, so we will be able to network,” Keplinger said.
Keplinger said that he is excited about the sharing of information the system will afford the City because as other area agencies collect data, they will communicate with Parsons and Parsons will communicate their data with other area entities. “So as they gather and collect vehicle information, it comes here, as we collect, it will go,” Keplinger said. “So we’re supporting each other. I’m kind of excited about that.”
