Middletown supervisors authorize $520,225.50 camera system, hire part‑time evidence manager

Middletown Township’s Board of Supervisors on Sept. 5 voted unanimously to authorize purchase of a new in‑car and body‑worn camera system and to hire a part‑time employee to manage video evidence.

Chief of Police Joseph Bartirillo told the board the department’s "current system is almost 9 years old and well beyond its usable life," and said staff evaluated multiple vendors before selecting a Lenslock system for cameras and Cradlepoint routers for in‑car connectivity. He said Lenslock is "a full cloud based system," which removes the need for the township to host its own storage servers.

Bartirillo said the department received PCCD grant awards that will cover a large portion of initial costs. According to his presentation, the grant awards include $126,007.38 for the in‑car cameras, $42,001.94 for body cameras, and $29,004.66 for personnel costs to staff a part‑time position to manage video and the camera system. The board authorized a total camera‑system purchase of $520,225.50 to be paid over five years; the motion also authorized a one‑time purchase of Cradlepoint in‑car routers cited in the motion at $120,335.60.

Board members asked about the upfront Cradlepoint cost and whether additional grants could be sought in future years. Bartirillo said the Cradlepoint routers are a one‑time upfront cost not covered by the PCCD grant and that the department will continue to pursue funding when available. He also noted Lenslock’s five‑year warranty and replacement schedule for body cameras.

A motion to authorize purchase of the cameras and routers and to hire the part‑time evidence manager was made, seconded and carried on a 5–0 voice vote.

The approval directs staff to complete contract documents with the vendors and to fund future annual payments from the township capital fund beginning in 2024 as outlined in the presentation.