Savings could buy body cams for police

The city is considering outsourcing the work of its dog control officer and using the savings, in part, to buy body cameras for some of its police officers.

Kingston Police Chief Egidio Tinti told the Common Council’s Finance and Audit Committee on Wednesday that the city is negotiating a temporary agreement with the Ulster County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals to handle animal control for Kingston. That contract would cover the Kingston until the city could issue a request for proposals for a long-term solu-

tion, he said.

Tinti said the move would save Kingston about $30,000 per year.

It currently costs the city about $100,000 per year for animal control services, which includes salary and benefits for employees, veterinary services and kenneling, Tinti said. He said

the police department’s dog control officer has resigned.

With the savings from outsourcing, Tinti recommended the city purchase seven body cameras for his department as part of a pilot program to test the technology and how it could be used in Kingston. He said five of those cameras would be issued to officers in the department’s Special Investigation Unit.

The total cost of the cameras and related equipment would be approximately $5,808, Tinti said.

“What we’re trying to do now is develop a pilot program in the police department and fund that with some of the funds we have here,” Tinti said. He said there are several issues to be considered, including privacy.

Tinti also recommended t he cit y spend about $14,800 of the saved money to improve his department’s surveillance system, which he called “antiquated.” The remaining savings, about $9,000, would be split evenly between his department and the Department of Public Works for overtime costs associated with festivals and other events in the city, the chief said.

The majority of the finance committee approved the funding changes requested by Tinti, but no action was taken on the animal control contract with the SPCA, pending its com- pletion. The committee is expected to act on the draft agreement on Feb. 29.

Alderwoman Maryann Mills cast the lone committee vote against the changes in the police department’s budget.

During discussion of Tinti’s request, Mills, DWard 7, noted the city currently receives revenues through adoption fees from dogs it takes possession of.

She said that revenue would be lost through the outsourcing.

City Clerk Carly Winnie said those revenues totaled about $2,500 over the past two years.

In response to questions from the committee, Tinti said the SPCA would be on call to handle dog control issues within the city.

He said the SPCA would have three kennels set aside for Kingston’s impounded dogs and would make others available as needed.