TABLE 1 SHOWS THE BREAK-EVEN POINT FOR: (1) REGULAR RENTAL VERSUS PURCHASE OR, IF AVAILABLE, FIXED TERM PLAN (FTP) VERSUS PURCHASE; (2) THE EXPECTED TECHNOLOGICAL LIFE OF THE EQUIPMENT; (3) THE EXPECTED LENGTH OF TIME BEFORE A STATE SYSTEM WILL SIGNIFICANTLY AFFECT THE CITY SYSTEM; AND (4) A RENT, RENT-WITH-FTP, OR BUY RECOMMENDATION. TABLE 2 SHOWS THE PROJECTED COSTS FOR THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT EQUIPMENT BASED UPON THE LEASE/PURCHASE RECOMMENDATIONS. BOTH MAINTENANCE AND LEASE COSTS ARE BASED UPON THE 36-MONTH PLANNED PROJECT DURATION. TABLE 3 GROUPS THE HARDWARE INTO THE 14 UNITS IN THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT'S EQUIPMENT COST SCHEDULE. TABLE 4 SHOWS ONLY THOSE HARDWARE ITEMS WHICH CAN QUALIFY FOR A SPECIAL FIXED TERM PLAN PRICING SCHEDULE; TABLE 5 SHOWS THE AGE IN YEARS WHEN BETTER TECHNOLOGY WILL BE AVAILABLE TO REPLACE THE DEPARTMENT'S PLANNED HARDWARE. ALSO PRESENTED ARE TABULAR DATA ON LEASE COSTS BY COMPONENT FOR 18, 24, AND 36 MONTHS AND A DRAFT OF A HANDBOOK ON LEAA POLICY ON AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING EQUIPMENT ACQUISITION. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)