PLATTSMOUTH - Plattsmouth Police Department will soon boost its technology savvy with projects funded by Commission on Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice grants.

Captain Ryan Crick  explained the projects and funding sources in a letter written to City Administrator Erv Portis dated Aug. 26.

Crick: “On Aug. 21, Plattsmouth Police Department received a letter from the Commission advising the approval of a $29,694-grant we had previously applied for earlier this summer.”

The grant funding is distributed from the Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding Program (CESF) and managed by the Commission. The first project focuses on updating laptop technology in the department’s five cruisers. Brite Computers will furnish the laptops and necessary hardware.

Crick: “Funds for the laptops themselves have already been allocated from another funding source. This CESF grant will allow us to purchase the remaining hardware needed for the installation and application of these laptops, totaling $12,899.”

The second project involves updating the department’s mobile speed trailer. The current model is 20-plus years old.

Crick: “This CESF grant will allow us to purchase a newer, updated model that will include messaging capabilities on top of speed monitoring from anywhere around town.”

All Traffic Solutions will provide the model at a cost of $16,795.

Crick: The total amount of these two projects will be covered by the CESF program at 100 percent, however, this is a reimbursement-based grant. The city will make the initial payments and will be reimbursed from the grant once the items are received.

PPD Chief Steve Rathman he was pleased the council approved the purchase at its Sept. 8 meeting.

Rathman: “It’s just a good thing.”