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Westchester board approves ordinance to authorize agreement with Axon for cameras and cloud storage
Summary
The board voted to amend the fiscal-year budget and authorize a contract with Axon Enterprises to provide an integrated public‑safety technology system (body-worn cameras, in‑car cameras, interview‑room AV and cloud storage); deputies and an Axon representative presented the operational and technical rationale.
On March 10 Westchester trustees approved an ordinance amending the annual budget and authorizing an agreement with Axon Enterprises to consolidate the village’s body‑worn cameras, in‑car cameras, interview‑room AV systems and cloud storage under a single vendor.
Deputy Police Chief Mike Fellers told the board the department’s current ecosystem includes multiple vendors and platforms, which raised concerns about public-safety effectiveness and potential liability. He said Axon is already the village’s taser vendor and the only vendor that currently integrates directly with the department’s conducted‑energy-weapons platform; a sole‑source justification and a decade‑long pricing lock were cited as reasons for the selection.
David Arth, an Axon representative, described the company’s integrated approach and answered technical questions from trustees about warranties, refresh cycles and features such as a "sidearm sensor" that automatically triggers camera recording when an officer’s firearm is removed. Trustees asked about compatibility with existing taser hardware, replacement cycles and battery/support logistics. Staff said the proposal does not include purchasing new tasers (those are already part of the existing Axon taser program) but covers body and in‑car cameras, interview‑room AV and cloud storage, plus refresh and support agreements.
A roll‑call vote recorded trustees voting in favor of moving forward with the contract authorization. The ordinance text directs staff to finalize and execute the agreement according to the authorization and budget amendment approved by the board.
The board did not present a separate public-review period for the contract at the meeting; staff noted a representative from Axon was available to answer questions that evening. The ordinance will be executed under the terms presented, and staff will return with contract documents or implementation steps as required by village procurement rules.
