WRPD now able to remotely request access to citizen-owned camera footage

WARNER ROBINS, Ga. — One of several recent public safety initiatives within the city, Warner Robins Mayor and Council discussed a contract Monday with “intelligence ecosystem” company Fusus; the contract will provide the city with the capability to request that local law enforcement gain access to privately-owned camera footage, both recorded and real-time. Council also approved a contract providing management services for off-duty law enforcement practice, put in place an emergency contract for trash pick-up and an expansion on VC3’s current cybersecurity services provided to the city.

During their pre-council meeting, interim Police Chief Roy Whitehead provided context on what a Fusus contract would provide Warner Robins.

“It’s a real-time crime center, [and has a] camera platform that allows us to access cameras anywhere throughout the city if they want to give access to those cameras,” Whitehead said. “It also provides us with an opportunity — if something happens, if we register all these cameras, than we can send a blast email with a link, and we can get all those videos that are brought right back to us, that way we don’t have to go door-to-door.”

According to the chief, this platform would also allow for police to gain real-time access to camera feeds whose owners have opted in to the program.

According to the contract, the city’s work with Fusus would be paid for in four annual installments of $100,000.

Councilmen Charlie Bibb and Larry Curtis spoke in favor of this item’s approval, as did Mayor LaRhonda Patrick. This item was approved by council.

Warner Robins also signed a “master services agreement” between the Warner Robins Police Department and Off Duty Management, inc. to provide “management services for police officers performing off duty assignments.”

During pre-council, interim Assistant Chief Wayne Fisher described exactly what these services would provide. The program collects off-duty assignment requests, and allows the police department to decide which ones are deemed most necessary. The program also helps to manage scheduling and list job postings.

This item was approved unanimously.

Towards the end of their meeting, council approved the execution of an emergency contract, extending GFL Environmental’s solid waste pick-up services from their contract’s initial end date of May 8, to a new end date of July 31.

During pre-council, Patrick described why this item was on the docket. After 25 years, the city’s ongoing services agreement with GFL Environmental is coming to an end; the city is now seeking to procure a new contract, potentially with a new provider.

“The procurement process has already begun,” Patrick said. “We’re going to have a gap in time [between the old contract’s end and the new one’s beginning], so [this item] is there to talk about that gap in time.”

Until a new provider can be chosen and pick up the work, the city will extend GFL Environmental’s contract to ensure there is no lapse in coverage.

According to the agenda, this contract will cost the city no more than $2,500,000. The new hauler will be decided on by Council in the coming months.

Finally, Mayor and Council discussed a master services agreement amendment with municipal cybersecurity provider VC3. The amendment will now include “Protect Shield” in VC3’s services provided to the city.

This item was approved without discussion.

Following the meeting, The Journal spoke with Patrick directly. She said the contract was amended as a result of the city’s ongoing effort to upgrade their computer hardware and software systems.

“A lot of steps have been made to get us in a position where we are up with the standards when it comes to technology and cybersecurity,” Patrick said. “Cybersecurity is extremely important, of course. People get hacked with ransom ware, and in order to protect yourself, these geniuses who come up with all this technology recommend you have added protection for cyber — that’s what we agreed to tonight.”

Patrick added that council’s decision to expand their cybersecurity protections has been in development for several months prior to this meeting, and was not done in reaction to the recent “cybersecurity incident” at Houston Healthcare.

The agenda and supporting documents for this meeting can be found at the city’s website, or by going to wrga.gov/agendacenter. Mayor and council’s meeting are typically scheduled on the first and third Monday of each month, exclusive of federally practiced holidays.

The next meeting will be held on Monday, April 3. Pre-council will begin at 4:30 p.m. in the Carolyn Robbins Room at City Hall. The regular council meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m. in the council chambers of the same building.

HHJ News