> Each camera is valued at approximately $3,000, putting the total loss at roughly $24,000. That cost falls directly on the Winona Police Department’s budget.

Only if they replace them...

▲

ortusdux 17 hours ago | parent | next [-]

Are they contractually obligated to replace them? IIRC, some municipalities have been covering the cameras with trash bags because they cannot turn them off or remove them until their contract expires.

▲

dgrin91 17 hours ago | parent [-]

I think there is a difference between turning them off/removing and having them be stolen/destroyed. I would be shocked if they would be forced to repurchase them.

	▲	eli 16 hours ago \| parent [-]
		They're usually leased. So yeah they probably owe Flock new ones.

▲

monkpit 17 hours ago | parent | prev | next [-]

That would make the loss $48,000 ;)

▲

thegrim33 17 hours ago | parent [-]

Wait until you find out where they get the money from to replace them

▲

mohamedkoubaa 17 hours ago | parent | next [-]

The city planning pyramid scheme: buy things you can't afford with bonds so that 20 years later when everyone is done raising their kids and moves out the people who move in have to debt service with crumbling infrastructure and schools.

	▲	cucumber3732842 16 hours ago \| parent [-]
		Bonus points if you pass a bunch of laws and rules that make it nigh on impossible for the next generation to develop any commerce that could possibly pay back your debt right before cashing out all your equity and moving to Idaho or Florida.

▲

morkalork 11 hours ago | parent | prev [-]

So like OT for one officer in a year that they're practically guaranteed because of union kickbacks and municipal corruption?

▲

fourseventy 17 hours ago | parent | prev | next [-]

If you own a $20,000 car and I steal it, is your loss not $20k? (excluding depreciation etc)

▲

nchmy 17 hours ago | parent | next [-]

Sure, if we're talking about total "wealth". Towns might put the cameras on their balance sheet (unless they're just leased in some way), but I strongly doubt that any towns are selling their flock cameras.

Moreover, the quote was about budget - it only hits the budget if they replace them. Likewise, if someone steals your car, it only hits your budget if you replace it or otherwise incur other expenses (taxi, etc). If you shrug because you have 4 other cars, or just walk and bike most of the time, its not really hitting your budget.

	▲	s1artibartfast 16 hours ago \| parent [-]
		If you are leasing your car, you are absolutely on the hook to the dealership. The city is basically leasing the cameras, and responsible for their cost.

▲

dozerly 17 hours ago | parent | prev [-]

They do not own them.

▲

jbs789 17 hours ago | parent | prev [-]

Haha I had the same thought.