City of Oak Creek

Common Council Report

 

Meeting Date:  December 19, 2006

 

Item No.:        

 

Recommendation:  That the Common Council approve the Police Department’s purchase of a Nikon Digital Format Camera System from Mike Crivello’s Camera Center in the amount of $6,158.

 

Background:  The Evidence Technician Unit has been utilizing 35mm cameras since its inception approximately 10 years ago. In the advent of the digital age, 35mm cameras, accessories and parts have been harder to purchase. In addition, the continued processing of film has not been cost effective. Of major importance is the fact that the Milwaukee District Attorney’s Office has now authorized the use of digital photos in crime scene reporting. The conversion to a digital camera system has the following additional advantages:

  1. The camera card reader will allow the instant review of photos. Use of the 35mm camera in low or non-existent lighting situations can be difficult and sometimes unpredictable. The digital format provides instant feedback and allows for aperture/shutter speed modification while on scene. This will eliminate the need to wait for photos to be processed before discovering any poor quality or ineffective crime scene photos.
  2. With the new Phoenix CAD System, the digitally formatted pictures can now be attached directly to reports and saved on the computer server.
  3. The digital format will allow on-scene Evidence Tech’s to e-mail photos to detectives working on major cases to provide additional information for interview/interrogation purposes.
  4. There will no longer be the need to purchase film or incur costs for photo processing. The one time digital purchase should pay for itself in approximately 18 months.
  5. The newer digital cameras allow for the transferring of current 35mm lenses, eliminating additional lens purchases.
  6. West Allis P.D. currently utilizes only digital equipment and is willing to provide training to our employees.

 

The Police Department received a lower bid from B&H Photo out of New York but the warranty assistance from Mike Crivello’s of Milwaukee more than makes up for the $76 difference.

 

Fiscal Impact:  The total cost for the Nikon Digital Camera System, including all accessories, warranties and support equipment, from Mike Crivello's Camera Center is $6,158. This item was approved as part of the Police Department’s C.E.P. program in the 2007 budget.

 

 

 

                                                                  Respectfully submitted,

 

 

                                                                  Patrick DeGrave

                                                                  City Administrator

 

 

Prepared by:

 

 

 

Thomas P. Bauer

Chief of Police                                                 

 

 

Fiscal Review by:

 

 

 

Beverly A. Buretta, CMC

City Clerk