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SOUTH WHITLEY – At Tuesday night's regular meeting, South Whitley Town Council heard from D.J. Sigler, Whitley County prosecuting attorney, regarding the installation of flock cameras in town.
Council approved two ALPR (Automatic License Plate Reader) cameras, which connect to a nationwide network, used primarily to track and apprehend suspects in criminal cases or drivers with outstanding warrants.
Images captured on the cameras are retained in a database for 30 days, then are erased permanently.
Sigler said the prosecutor's office will cover the upfront $7,300 cost for the two cameras, their installation and the subscription fee for the first year, which is included in the upfront cost.
Council voted to approve the subscription fee for years two and three of the contracts for both cameras, at a fee of $3,000 per year per camera, or a total of $12,000 across two years.
Sigler said he will work with Town Marshal Chad Schipper and the South Whitley Police Department to determine placement of these cameras. Four flock cameras are currently installed in Columbia City, with 46 cameras across Kosciusko County.
Council also approved a resolution regarding potential acquisition of certain real estate for two appraisals for the property at 105 E. Columbia St. and the adjacent lot, which the town seeks to purchase from Tony Starkey.
Councilman Kris Shoemaker will be the point of contact for the appraisers, Dawson Appraisal and Driskill Real Estate.
Council President Brock Waterson praised the Whitko Community Schools Art Department, whose junior-senior high school art students recently won 20 scholastic awards in the Regional Scholastic Art Contest in Fort Wayne. Waterson recognized Daniel Malicki and the late Walter Malicki for their dedication.
Council also recognized the Hometown Heroes banners, which have been installed on light poles across town.
Clerk-Treasurer Alyssa Knepple said she has asked electric superintendent Randy Gawthrop to start looking for quotes for a utility truck. The current truck is from 2008 and has been in and out of the repair shop for two months, Knepple said.
Council will next meet at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 10.
