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Committee approves Axon body‑worn cameras, in‑car systems and Taser contract amid dissent
Summary
The committee approved three contracts with Axon Enterprise Inc. for additional body‑worn cameras, in‑car camera systems (partially offset by a grant) and a Taser system. Some legislators voiced objections over Axon’s broader corporate activities and market concentration, while the sheriff emphasized transparency benefits for policing.
Ulster County’s Law Enforcement and Public Safety Committee on May 7 approved three separate contracts with Axon Enterprise Inc. to expand law enforcement technology for the sheriff’s office.
The committee approved an amendment (Resolution 2 40) totaling $201,764.82 to expand the county’s body‑worn camera deployment and associated docking equipment, a contract for in‑car camera systems (Resolution 2 41) for $572,622.20 that the sheriff said is offset by a law enforcement technology grant, and a contract for TASER devices and related equipment (Resolution 2 42) for $88,401.88.
Some legislators expressed concerns about purchasing from a single large vendor. Legislator Hewitt said she generally opposes Axon contracts because of the company’s broader product lines and market position: "I'm usually a no on Axon... we're also supporting a company that's making weaponry. And so the monopolization of corporate America has made it so it's hard for us to keep our money separate from war technology when we're trying to just buy cameras." Hewitt said she was conflicted about TASER technology and described ongoing study of nonviolent alternatives.
Sheriff Juan Figueroa responded that the procurement followed testing and that previous vendors did not meet the department’s needs: "I can't express the importance of the transparency when law enforcement deals with our communities, in particular our communities of color," he said, emphasizing the department's interest in camera systems that activate during force events and improve accountability.
Committee members asked whether the sheriff's office would consider alternatives if comparable products were available; the sheriff said the department continues to watch market developments and had found prior Panasonic cameras inadequate for current needs. Legislator Hewitt raised market concentration issues and noted Axon's large market capitalization and revenues; other legislators said the equipment supports transparency reforms implemented after national calls for greater police accountability.
All three resolutions passed in committee. The record includes a short exchange during the discussion of Resolution 2 40 about the number of additional body cameras and docking stations; committee dialogue recorded some confusion over exact counts, which the sheriff's office said it would confirm.
Resolutions approved: - Resolution 2 40: Contract amendment with Axon Enterprise Inc., $201,764.82 (body‑worn cameras and docking equipment). - Resolution 2 41: Contract with Axon Enterprise Inc., $572,622.20 (in‑car camera systems; offset by a law enforcement technology grant). - Resolution 2 42: Contract with Axon Enterprise Inc., $88,401.88 (TASER system).
