Laconia Police Department

Amount Appropriated?

$96,250

FFID tracks stages 1–2 — stages 3–5 vary by agency, assistance type, and earmark structure.

Project Description

The city of Laconia operates under a Tax Cap that was enacted in 2005 and does not allow for annual increases in the Laconia Police Department's (LPD) budget. There is an ongoing need to ensure the security and safety of critical evidence, vehicles, and equipment. In addition to damage incurred through exposure to the elements (harsh weather), the LPD has had numerous instances of vandalism, armed intruders, threats of terrorism, confrontational behaviors by citizens, attempted theft, and suicide on premises. There is no funding available via the local budget to support the needed addition of a 40 x 80-foot storage facility to house the mobile command vehicle, three variable message boards, two radar trailers, one emergency supply trailer, motorcycles, and criminal evidence in a temperature and climate-controlled facility. An additional facility would mitigate the loss of critical evidence and damage to property that is currently being experienced. The city of Laconia has made significant investments in the identified equipment, and it is imperative that the LPD ensure that the quality, value, and effectiveness of each item is maximized. As an example, the mobile command vehicle is the only one in all of Belknap County and is available for use by all communities within the county.\n \nAs the secondary Emergency Operations Center in the city of Laconia, as is written in the city's Emergency Operations Plan, it is critical that the LPD secure the operation center and emergency dispatch for the city. The community impact is directly related to the protection of current city investments that fund LPD vehicles, trailers, equipment, and supplies. In addition, mitigating the loss of critical evidence supports the community by ensuring successful prosecution in criminal investigations.