Ho-Ho-Kus July 13, 2011 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • Page 3 Police to have updated in-car recording system by Jennifer Crusco The Ho-Ho-Kus Police Department will soon have an updated in-car video recording system installed in all five patrol vehicles. The new system will cost $40,272, and will be supplied by WPCS International Inc. of Lakewood. The borough council awarded the contract late last month after obtaining three bids. According to the council’s resolution, the bid submitted by WPCS reflects pricing under the Bergen County Cooperative Bid Award. Last week, Ho-Ho-Kus Police Chief John Wanamaker reported that the department has been using a recording system that is approximately 12 years old and uses VHS tapes, which are considered outmoded and are becoming difficult to purchase. Chief Wanamaker noted that the new system employs digital recording cameras. “It’s the wave of the future,” the chief said of the new system, which is made by Panasonic. “When the light on the police car is activated, the camera automatically records the response to the call or the motor vehicle stop, and the data is stored on a media card. When the (police) car is within 500 feet of headquarters, the digital camera automatically downloads the information, which is stored indefinitely.” Wanamaker said this process is known as wireless upload. He added that all of the officers will be equipped with microphones that will be active when the cameras are in use. Asked about cases in which a camera would be desired, but the police lights might not be activated, Wanamaker explained that police officers can manually override the system to activate the camera if the lights are not being used. The chief noted that video records have helped the department in instances where complaints are issued. He detailed one case in which a motorist who had been stopped in Ho-Ho-Kus claimed she had been detained for 20 minutes and had been intimidated by the presence of four to five police cars at the scene. The video recording of the incident indicated that the motor vehicle stop had lasted a total of six minutes, and only two police cars had been present. Wanamaker added that the cameras help protect the officers on duty, and are useful for DWI (driving while intoxicated) stops because the information can be burned to a DVD and used by the prosecution. In other business, the chief stated that, during the summer vacation season, residents who will be away from home are urged to call the police department at (201) 652-1700. Wanamaker said the department maintains a vacant house list and a key file. He welcomes residents to provide the department with emergency contacts, alarm codes, and other pertinent information to help protect their homes and properties as they enjoy their time away from the borough. The Ho-Ho-Kus Borough Council has cancelled its regularly scheduled work sessions for July and August. The council will Summer meeting schedule announced meet on July 26 and Aug. 23. Sessions are held at borough hall, 333 Warren Avenue, Ho-Ho-Kus, and begin at 8 p.m.