Newark May Buy New License Plate Recognition System

Newark City Council will consider a request from the police department next Thursday to fund a new license plate recognition system. 

The system would be installed in three police vehicles, according to a staff report prepared for the November 14 City Council meeting. The price tag on the new gear is $36,281.62, according to public records. 

This acquisition was not factored into the 2012-2014 budget, which means it requires City Council to approve an amendment that legalizes transferring money to the city’s Equipment Replacement Fund for this project. 

The amendment, which will be considered for approval, would authorize a $45,000 transfer to “Special Department Supplies” fund, according to the text of the amendment. Calls to the City’s Finance Department on Friday afternoon to clarify the where the extra money would be directed went unanswered. Every other Friday, city government offices are closed to save money.

City staff has their eyes on a new 3M Automatic License Plate Recognition System that has a life expectancy of 5-7 years with 24/7 use. If the amendment is approved this new system would replace the one that was installed in three of the police cars in 2009. Newark Police say the reason they want to replace it is that the existing system’s manufacturer went out of business in 2011, eliminating support for the product in the process.