The Reno City Council voted 5-2 Wednesday to approve an eight-year, $21.8 million agreement with Axon Enterprise that includes license plate readers, body cameras, Tasers, drones and AI software for report writing. The deal replaces the city's Flock Safety cameras, which the city confirmed it would not renew amid mounting privacy and civil rights concerns nationwide. Mayor Hillary Schieve and Councilmember Meghan Ebert voted against the agreement.
Dozens of residents spoke against the contract at the meeting, and 71 of 79 written comments opposed it. "Ending a contract with Flock, only to open another contract with Axon, is not acceptable," Ward 2 resident Jeremy Creighton wrote. Preston Mattson, speaking with members of Northern Nevada Democratic Socialists of America, said, "Ending Flock was the right move, but replacing [it] with Axon just changes the logo on the camera." Others criticized the timing, saying the public was not given enough notice.
Supporters included Bill Thomas, executive director of the Regional Transportation Commission of Washoe County, who wrote that the technology recently helped identify and apprehend a person who posed a serious potential threat to the public transportation system. Assemblymember Selena La Rue Hatch (D-Reno) submitted a written comment in opposition.
The council approved the agreement with conditions proposed by Councilmember Devon Reese, including deleting license plate data not tied to an investigation after 15 days instead of 30, requiring quarterly audits and public reports from the police chief every three months, and mandating council approval for any new surveillance technology. The city also retains the right to end the contract on 30 days' notice without penalty. If Axon does not accept the conditions, the deal is void and the item returns to the council.
Sources: The Nevada Independent
Original reporting: Las Vegas Review-Journal →
English (US)·