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Chief: Axon camera prices rose about 70%; Middletown plans DUI outreach, phlebotomy pilot
Summary
At a Nov. 18 Middletown Public Safety Commission meeting, Chief Costa said proposed five-year pricing for body-worn and in-car camera systems from Axon has risen roughly 70% from five years ago. He also reviewed a $25,000 DWI grant, a possible phlebotomy roadside-testing pilot and plans to use opioid-settlement funds for school outreach.
Chief Costa told the Middletown Public Safety Commission on Nov. 18 that the department is moving forward on a five-year contract for Axon body-worn cameras, Tasers and in-car systems but is working through a sharp price increase. "The prices have almost, gone up a good, 70 — like, 70% from the last five years," Costa said.
The chief summarized several operational items in his monthly report. He said the department is examining a phlebotomist program that would allow trained personnel to draw blood outside emergency rooms for DUI cases, noting the transcript referenced a recent legislative change (spoken as the "2 27 statute") that enables blood-draw options in the field. "We're seeing if that's something that's practical here in the state of Connecticut," Costa said, describing other Connecticut towns piloting the approach.
Costa reported a state-run DWI enforcement grant of about $25,000 is currently in place and is contributing to increased motor vehicle stops and DUI detections. "That grant is about $25,000," he said, and added the department is using the funding for enforcement and officer training.
On community outreach and substance-use response, Costa told councillors he is seeking some opioid-settlement funds to bring a nationally known recovery speaker to Middletown High School. He identified the speaker in the transcript as Chris Herron, described him as a former NBA athlete and a recovery-program leader who runs a facility in Portsmouth, R.I., and estimated roughly $10,000 from settlement funds could support the program.
Costa also highlighted department recognition and accreditation work: the police K9 Bear and Officer Jay Bodell were featured in local press, and accreditation manager Darren Brollo and Lt. Derek Puro attended an accreditation conference; Costa said the department expects to receive accreditation next year and then pursue national standards.
The chief reported staffing-related declines in overtime but noted long-term workers-compensation and parental leaves continue to affect scheduling. He said the department is investigating a homicide of a homeless man in the Jackson Court area and that investigators have a suspect. Calls for service for the month numbered about 3,276, down from about 3,700 the prior month.
Why it matters: The budgetary impact of the Axon contract and the department's plans for roadside blood draws and expanded DUI enforcement could affect municipal spending and policing practice. The commission heard these updates but did not take formal action on the contract or the phlebotomy pilot during the meeting.
Next steps: Costa said the city will continue negotiating and evaluating the Axon contract, explore practical certification and staffing needs for a phlebotomy program, and develop outreach programming if opioid-settlement funding is approved by relevant city decision-makers.
