Lakeport >> The Lake County Sheriff’s Department (LCSD) received approval from the Board of Supervisors (BOS) during the April 21 meeting to purchase 11 new Watchguard-brand mobile audio video units, or “MAVs”, to be installed in a new set of pursuit vehicles the department purchased from Ukiah Ford.
According to the LCSD, these units are the devices inside of the pursuit vehicles that record the deputies’ activities, aiding in evidence collection and the recording of statements for later use.
The estimated $71,518 expenditure is covered with Rural and Small County Sheriff funds. Sheriff Brian Martin requested the BOS waive the formal bidding process, as an older model of the MAVs are already in use in LCSD vehicles. Martin stated that, for the officers’ ease of use, it would benefit the department to continue using Watchguard products instead of adopting a new system. Bids were previously received from other vendors supplying a similar product, at which time it was decided that the Watchguard system was the best option for the LCSD.
The BOS approved the purchase with a vote of 4-0 in favor, with District 4 Supervisor Anthony Farrington absent for the vote.
