Police cite crime-camera gains and TED detail effects; council authorizes purchase of two used SUVs

Police Chief Troy Hebert told the council that the department answered 792 calls in April, that crime cameras and the TED (Traffic Enforcement Detail) program helped cut burglaries substantially, and that continued enforcement on the interstate remains a priority.

“Our burglaries dropped 60% in a year,” Chief Troy Hebert said, crediting the TED program and crime-camera coverage. “Where we do see we have the crime cameras, we are catching everything that that comes across… it has always pretty much linked to somewhere what we call it on film now.”

Hebert also described the challenge of balancing local street patrols and interstate enforcement, and explained speed enforcement tools: officers are using LIDAR devices that allow them to target a specific vehicle. He emphasized officer safety on high-speed interstate stops and said departments must choose safe tactics.

On a separate committee action, the council approved purchasing two used police sport-utility vehicles for the department at a combined cost of $90,000. In the Public Safety meeting a motion to acquire two used Yukons (upfitting expected) was seconded by Alderman Jeff Dorey and carried; Revenue & Finance then allocated general-fund support for the purchase.

Nut graf: Police leaders say crime cameras and targeted traffic enforcement have measurably reduced certain crimes, and the council moved to replace aging patrol vehicles by approving a two‑unit purchase with upfitting to follow.

Details and next steps: Chief Hebert said some cameras and vehicle radios must be standardized after purchase; staff will upfit the vehicles and report final VIN and upfitting costs as part of the resolution implementing the purchase.