The city will retreat from a $3.7 million contract to install video cameras in all police patrol cars, officials said Tuesday. The dash-cam program will be scaled back or scrapped.
Fort Lauderdale officials still have to vote to officially cancel or reduce the 2007 contract with Coban Technologies. If commissioners vote to drop the project, the city will suffer a "nonrecoverable loss" of at least $1.16 million, according to a city memo.
That's the $760,000 the city has already spent or is obligated to spend, plus a $400,000 federal grant that would have to be returned.
In addition, the city spent $1.5 million on laptop computers in patrol cars. The laptops are useful anyway, officials said, so their cost is not included in the money expected to be lost if the contract is killed.
To fully implement the program, the city would have to spend about another $1.2 million, officials said.
The city agreed to install the 269 cameras in response to community complaints about police conduct, particularly in northwest Fort Lauderdale. Patrol cars were to be outfitted with the video cameras, specially made so they could not be removed or turned off by officers. Sound would be recorded with wireless microphones officers would wear on their uniforms, city officials said.
But commissioners are split on the program now, as they look to cut expenses. The police union is opposed, saying the dash-cams are unnecessary, a waste of money, and a show of distrust.
Residents of northwest Fort Lauderdale pleaded with the city to keep its promise, arguing that the cameras would reduce racial profiling.
The decision rests with Mayor Jack Seiler, the swing vote on this issue.
Seiler said he might vote to cancel the program, and at most would consider the reduced version, with 95 cameras. Under that scenario, the city would spend another $10,454, plus maintenance.
Only Commissioners Romney Rogers and Bobby DuBose voiced support. Commissioner Charlotte Rodstrom and Vice Mayor Bruce Roberts both said the city can't afford it.
