Amount Requested: $65,620
The requested funding is strictly technology based. The agency seeks funding for a project that is two-fold. The first portion of the project is based upon clearly needed and effective communication. The City of Middletown Police department is a 77 member agency that for many years has attempted to survive with the very bare essentials as far as communications. It is currently barely able to meet needs as far as assigned portable radios to the patrol officers that are put upon the streets daily. The second part of the technology request lies with both a manner in which the police department's administration can constantly monitor vehicle stops and ensure proper procedure, with protection against false litigious claims. It is the hope that with the installation of in-vehicle digital video systems, that the department might be able to accomplish both goals. This agency has had to deal with a serious increase in violent crime, and has attempted to use every available resource to deal with it, be it multi-agency cooperation, or the seeking of funding on a state level for increased overtime and equipment. A priority of the police department is to maintain a progressive stance on crime, and with the assistance of federal funding it can continue to attempt to decrease the instances of violent crime, and in the end, improve the lives of the citizens of the City of Middletown.