Help is on the way for Indianola’s understaffed police department.
It’s not in the form of officers, but rather with about a dozen cameras that will be installed in strategic locations throughout the city.
The purchase, which was made during a special called meeting on Tuesday, is likely not the last of the police technology that has been on Mayor Ken Featherstone’s and IPD Chief Ronald Sampson’s wish lists for some time.
There is still talk of purchasing even more cameras and a mobile command unit.
The city will contract this time with Wilson Technologies, which sells Eagle Eye cameras that are solar-powered.
The buy comes a little less than two weeks since a mass shooting occurred on Church Street. Three 19-year-old men lost their lives that night, and although police believe that two of the men who died were the instigators for that gunfight, they have reason to suspect that at least one more shooter from that night is out there.
Another 19-year-old, Indianola resident Areon Butler, was shot and killed during the massacre.
Sampson said that three types of bullets were found at the scene, but only two types of guns were recovered.
Camera surveillance in the area was scant, leaving investigators to get information from witnesses who may have seen the fight take place.
Sampson said the cameras would help with both crime prevention and investigations.
The city will spend roughly $70,000 on this first round of cameras. A lot of that is one-time purchase and installation costs.
There will be a monthly cost to maintain the cameras.
City Hall’s Roof
Also, the city decided on Tuesday to advertise for bids for an upcoming city hall roof replacement project.
The city received three quotes, ranging from $45,000 to $99,000.
It was not clear whether the three quotes were comparable when it comes to the actual materials being used.
Mayor Featherstone told the board that there are three breaches in the roof at this time, which he said has resulted in a strong mold smell and plaster falling from the ceiling.
“We need to get this done,” said Ward 4 Alderman Marvin Elder, who was present by phone.
The board voted to engage with Gardner to write the specs for the advertisement.
