License plate readers finalized

RIDGELAND — Final documents are being processed before eight new license plate readers go into use.

Police Chief John Neal said they are waiting on legal documents to process with the company, Flock, and with utility provider Entergy for usage of existing poles.

"I'm waiting on Entergy to make modifications to the agreement so I can get it to Flock," Neal said.

Entergy agreed to allow the city to use two of its utility poles to hold the scanners. The two locations are at the south end of the Highland Colony Parkway, one where the Parkway crosses West County Line Road, and one where the Parkway crosses the Natchez Trace exit at Colony Park.

City Attorney John Scanlon noted that the agreement did not include some specific language the city usually asks for. He said the board would likely be covered in court.

Mayor Gene McGee asked if Neal was "in a hurry" to get this item approved at a recent board meeting.

"No sir, this is still in the design phase," Neal responded.

Aldermen then tabled the item until a future meeting.

Neal said the trial period would not begin until after Flock had installed the cameras.

"Flock is working on an installation plan and our trial period doesn't start until they are up and running," Neal said.

Neal received approval to enter an agreement with the Georgia-based company in April. The agreement was for eight cameras installed throughout the city, specifically on Pine Knoll Drive and at the north and south ends of the Highland Colony Parkway. Neal described Pine Knoll Drive as a weak area of enforcement that could benefit from increased policing.

The agreement included installation and a 60-day pilot period free of charge. After the pilot period the city would pay an annual fee of $16,000 for usage of the readers.

Neal said in April that he wanted to see what information they gathered from the readers but thought they could be best utilized in policing neighborhoods.

"If this goes well we would like to get some of the local HOAs to install them," Neal said at the time.

Neal said that he knew several municipalities along the coast were implementing Flock's readers and services. He said the biggest client he knew of is Birmingham, Ala.

Seeking approval from a third party to use their structure is consistent with recent efforts by the board to "reduce pole clutter." At the May 5 meeting, Community Development Director Alan Hart presented an amendment to the Small Cell Technology Ordinance with that goal in mind that was unanimously approved.

"This will encourage companies to use or replace existing poles where they exist instead of erecting new ones," Hart said. "This should reduce pole clutter throughout the city."

Hart said the amendment will make the decision administrative meaning his office could give companies approval to replace existing poles.