City Council

Minutes were approved on 3/24/2026 by the Public Safety Subcommittee. CITY OF LACONIA - CITY COUNCIL SUBCOMMITTEE MEETING Joint Meeting - Public Safety Subcommittee and the Laconia Police Commission City Hall - Armand A. Bolduc Council Chamber 10:00 A.M. 1/24/2025 - Minutes 1. CALL TO ORDER Chairman Cheney called the meeting to order at 10:01 AM. 2. SALUTE TO THE FLAG Chairman Cheney led the salute to the flag. 3. RECORDING SECRETARY Hilary Young, Administrative Assistant to the City Clerk 4. ROLL CALL Ms. Young called the roll of the following members: Councilor Cheney and Councilor Felch from the Public Safety Committee and Commissioner Mello and Commissioner Whittum from the Laconia Police Commission. At 10:16 AM Councilor Soucy entered the meeting. Absent: Scott Davis, Police Commission 5. STAFF IN ATTENDANCE Kirk Beattie, City Manager and Chief Canfield, Police Department 6. APPROVAL OF MINUTES The minutes of 11/21/22 and 7/8/24 were distributed to the members of the committee. With no changes or corrections sent to the clerk, the minutes were accepted as distributed. 7. PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE (Cheney - Chair, Soucy and Felch) 7.A. Discussion of graffiti prevention The committee agreed that the proposal of Real Time Video project and a different approach to a “beat cop” would be beneficial to the prevention of any vandalism within the city. 7.B. Discussion of Real Time Video project Chief Canfield briefed the committee on the real-time crime center that they have been working on for the past couple of years. The Police Department is looking into getting software, Fusus, where the program could pull in live feeds from security cameras such as local schools, banks, body cameras, local businesses and ring cameras. The schools, banks, local businesses and private property owners can opt-in or opt-out into this program. Chief Canfield stated they have secured a $200,000 grant to set up the base and placed $150,000 as a place holder in CIP for the software.  local businesses and ring cameras. The schools, banks, local businesses and private property owners can opt-in or opt-out into this program. Chief Canfield stated they have secured a $200,000 grant to set up the base and placed $150,000 as a place holder in CIP for the software. Commissioner Whittum is concerned with invasion of privacy. Chief Canfield stated that this is not to monitor businesses or private property. This program would be strictly used for real time crime. Owners can register their devices with the Police Department, and if the department needs access to their cameras, they will notify the owner by email. This program would help the Police Department by not having to knock on doors to find security footage. Chief Canfield will set up a demonstration with the software company for the Public Safety Committee. Manchester is currently set up with this program. 7.C. Discussion of a different approach to a "Beat Cop" patrol Chairman Cheney asked Chief Canfield if they still have officers on bicycle patrol in downtown and whether expanding his fleet with a 4-wheel drive gator would help patrols in downtown, Lakeport and the Weirs. The Police Department currently has bicycle patrol in Spring, Summer and Fall months. A gator is an option to help with patrols. Chief Canfield is waiting for Homeland Security Grant to be available. 8. Any other business that may come before the Council 9. ADJOURNMENT Chairman Cheney adjourned the meeting at 10:45 AM. Respectfully Submitted, Hilary Young, Administrative Assistant to the City Clerk