On Monday, the Riley County Law Board approved a resolution to authorize the board chair to sign an agreement for new license plate reader (LPR) technology. The technology will be used by the Riley County Police Department to aid in crime reduction efforts. However, the board decided to pull the agreement from its consent agenda after their attorney, Mike Gillespie, raised concerns about an issue with coverage.
Gillespie discovered an “esoteric” coverage issue where the police department was covered by its insurance carrier, but the Law Board’s coverage was uncertain. Despite this uncertainty, officials later confirmed that the Law Board would be covered under their liability policy. A resolution was signed by the board chair, John Matta, on Tuesday to allow the new LPR technology to proceed, pending final approval at the upcoming city commission meeting on May 7th.
The RCPD has purchased 11 cameras, with 10 to be placed along main thoroughfares and in and out of Manhattan. Additionally, one camera will be installed in Aggieville. The total cost for the project is estimated to be around $33,000 annually.