At a recent meeting of the Batesville City Council, members received an update on the new Batesville Police Department headquarters to be located in the former Network of Community Options/AP&L building at 710 St. Louis St.
Assistant Batesville Police Chief John Scarborough noted the building’s renovations should be finished by the end of July.
City Engineer Damon Johnson also gave more details about the software and security system that will power the headquarters’ new crime information center. The system, “Critical Edge,” will allow the department to connect to city cameras and view certain areas such as the public works building, Riverside Park, and more. Johnson noted, for example, a camera installed at Maxfield Park might have captured information regarding the recent arson at the former Ozark Furniture/Heasley Furniture and Appliances store on Central Avenue.
Johnson also said the city could apply for a grant to install cameras at traffic stops. He said such cameras would be able to gather information related to traffic accidents and be programmed to watch for specific details, such as a particular vehicle.
Batesville Mayor Rick Elumbaugh said some area businesses have expressed interest in the Critical Edge system, which Jonesboro and New Orleans, La., also utilize. Businesses and White River Medical Center could also connect to the system where their information could be accessed and recorded.
Johnson said the system has the capacity to expand and will be a long-term benefit to the city.
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