Approved To Barricade 1st Street For Sledding
With plans to purchase new patrol and body cameras for the Greenwood County Sheriff’s Office, Sheriff Heath Samuels approached the council during their Monday, Jan. 13 meeting to request diversion funds from the Eureka City Council. It was noted that the diversion account currently has approximately $20,000 through previous diversion agreements that had been reached. Attorney James Watson stated that these funds can be used for prosecution, court equipment and/or equipment for law enforcement. Sheriff Samuels shared the new cameras would have unlimited storage and would provide access to footage when officers may not activate the camera. The vehicle cameras will also have the capabilities to run data from vehicles that will assist with locating stolen vehicles, BOLOs (Be On The Look Out), missing persons and burglaries, as the system would note when the vehicle was last seen and provide a general area. The system does not record data regarding owners/ drivers. A total of 13 M500 Motorola in-car systems and 19 body cameras for deputies, jail and court staff will be purchased/ installed to assist the department, with Sheriff Samuels noting that the cost of $189,000 over five years, would be funded through various funds. It was shared that he had applied for and received a $40,000 grant for the purchase; will utilize $60,000 of Greenwood County Diversion funds and the Sheriff’s Office budget will absorb the remainder, as well as the backside costs of installation. Attorney Watson stated that he would like to keep approximately $5,000 in the diversion account for incidental needs but was in favor of utilizing $15,000 for this purchase. The council approved the request of $15,000 for the purchase.
