Thousands in unused equipment at HSPD

ALACHUA – An independent review of the High Springs Police Department (HSPD) has revealed thousands of dollars wasted on computer equipment.

A list of computer equipment purchased by the High Springs Police Department was provided to commissioners during the April 10 commission meeting. Items listed as still in the box or out of the box but not in use totaled $11,622. Items characterized as unnecessary and greatly out of character with remaining equipment totaled $11,354.

After explaining why the money could have been better spent, the report was summarized, “...if the department had made more reasonable purchases for the laptops, and kept the existing, functional keyboards, hard drives, and operating system, the department could have easily saved $6,800. These savings, paired with the unused hardware/software...would have equated to total savings of over $18,000 to the department.”

The review of the status of the HSPD was recently conducted by the Florida Police Chief's Association. Retired Chief William A. Liquori interviewed officers and visited each department as part of his assessment process. A written report detailing his findings is expected to be received by the city this week.

In a related matter, City Manager Ed Booth delivered an interlocal agreement to Alachua County Sheriff Sadie Darnell on April 14, which would allow county personnel to assist the city by conducting an independent audit of the city police department evidence room. The audit was originally scheduled to begin on Tuesday, April 15, but was changed to April 16. The audit could take as long as one month to complete according to Art Forgey, Public Information Officer, Alachua County Sheriff's Office.

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