TO: Public Safety Committee
FROM: William Evans, Chief of Police
SUBJECT:
title
Resolution to Accept and Implement a Grant from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity under Public Act 103-0006
end
BACKGROUND:
In October 2024, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity notified the Joliet Police Department that $50,000 was appropriated from the General Revenue Fund. The funding agency provided no parameters other than that the funds were for “costs associated with the purchase of police drones”. The IDCEO's delay in awarding the grant is unexplained; however, they have now made the award with a tentative start date of 1/1/26 and a termination date of 12/31/2027.
Under this allocation, three larger-capacity drones and two smaller-capacity drones, along with corresponding ancillary equipment, will be purchased. They will enable the department to expand its drone program from its current fleet of 5 drones, including 1 large-capacity and 4 small-capacity drones. Currently, the department has fourteen trained pilots.
The IDCEO has approved the following budget:
|
Description |
Count |
Cost |
Total |
|
Large-capacity drone |
3 |
$8,979 |
$26,937 |
|
Large-capacity drone battery |
22 |
$325.41 |
$7,159.02 |
|
Intelligent battery |
59 |
$6 |
$354 |
|
Large capacity drone lanyard |
3 |
$39.99 |
$119.97 |
|
Small-capacity drone |
2 |
$5,498 |
$10,996 |
|
Small-capacity drone battery kit |
2 |
$659 |
$1,318 |
|
Small-capacity drone speaker |
2 |
$159 |
$318 |
|
Small-capacity drone spotlight |
2 |
$1,399 |
$2,798 |
|
Total |
|
|
$49,999.99 |
CONCLUSION:
The budgeted items will help the Police Department access modern technology and improve operations across the department.
RECOMMENDATION:
recommendation
Based on the above, it is recommended that the Mayor and City Council approve the attached Resolution authorizing the acceptance of an award from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.
end