If Police Chief Noel Foster gets his way, he and his officers and the law-abiding city residents and visitors they serve and protect will soon enjoy enhanced safety through a network of “private eyes.” And the added security won’t require additional manpower.
Upon Foster’s request, the city council – meeting in a regular session on Monday night – approved a resolution authorizing Foster and Mayor James “Jitters’ Morgan to apply for a $275,000 federal Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant for the purchase and installation of a network of video cameras that would feed live broadcasts to a central dispatching location.
Foster said the cameras would be strategically placed at various public locations, such as schools, store parking lots and city park.
“The system would be non-invasive of privacy,” Foster pledged. “They wouldn’t be placed on or aimed at private locations or activities.”
Foster gave an example of how a camera might aid both the public and officers. He said a camera could provide an image, complete with a license number, of an automobile being driven around the high school campus after hours. If no one had witnessed the vehicle, the camera would serve to provide information to a dispatched officer, who would be prepared to encounter the automobile and/or its residents and possibly prevent or interrupt a crime. Meanwhile, the officer’s prior knowledge of the matter would serve to increase his or her safety.
Foster also told the council that when the current school year ends, duties will be changing for the police department’s three campus resource officers. One will be handling code enforcement while classes are on break, and the other two will be serving warrants.
In other business, Morgan appointed Aldermen Joel Foster and David Matheny to work with City Attorney Tom Owens on a proposed new agreement with the Suddenlink cable television firm.
Morgan announced the resignation of museum board member Brenda Doucey, along-time director. The other board members were in attendance, and Morgan asked that they confer and suggest a replacement “when possible.” The mayor also noted that with Rev. Bob Harper planning to move to North Little Rock soon, Harper would be vacating his seat on the three-member panel that oversees the Carter estate, which includes the museum complex and adjoining veterans memorial.
The mayor said plans and underway for the annual Independence Day Fireworks Show at the high school’s Bulldog Stadium at 9:11 p.m. Saturday, July 4. “It’ll be the biggest and best yet,” Morgan promised. “This event is being financed primarily by the White Hall Police Officers Association, and several businesses are helping as well.”
White Hall, Ar —
