West Penn Township will spend over $15,000 for a new public safety system software for its police department.

Supervisors on a 2-0 vote, with Supervisor Ted Bogosh absent, agreed on Monday to spend $15,428 for the CODY System.

CODY Systems provide software and data aggregation, integration, and exchange solutions for public safety, law enforcement and other public sector entities of all sizes and tiers.

Before the board’s vote, it heard from township police Chief Brian Johnson.

Johnson said the objective is to “try to be more productive (out) on the streets.”

He said the system could be purchased by way of two payments: $9,257 in the first year, and $6,171 in the second year.

“The goal is to have all the information back to us,” Johnson said.

Board Chairman Tony Prudenti said he had no problem with the concept.

“In my mind, there’s no question it will help you do your job better, quicker,” Prudenti said. “How are we going to pay for it?”

Johnson said the system could be purchased through the police department’s budget.

“I’m just trying to stay ahead of the system I see,” he said.

Supervisor Tim Houser said that while he can understand why the police department wants the system, there are a lot of places that are doing away with their township police departments and going to state police.

“I’m not against (having the) police department in the township, but we already pay for state police,” Houser said. “This is a pretty good chunk coming out of our (police department budget).”

Prudenti said he was a proponent of the system.

“If this can help the department in any way, and it’s not coming out of the general fund, I’m all for it,” he said.

Houser said he agreed, so long as “if he (Johnson) can provide for it out of his budget.”

Each year it would cost the township about $2,200 for licensing.