The Petersburg Borough Assembly on Monday authorized an agreement with Axon Enterprise Inc., which provides the equipment and services that Petersburg’s Police Department uses. Under the agreement, the Borough would pay a $378,897.58 quote gradually over the next decade.
Police Chief Jim Kerr said Monday that they typically do shorter contracts with the company. But this extended version that AXON offered includes some perks, especially for routine equipment replacement.
“If they have a new technology that comes out, since we have the technology refresh as part of this, we get that new technology,” Kerr told the Assembly. “I think this 10-year contract is in the Borough’s best interest to lock in pricing so we’re not subject to future increases.”
The quote covers a public safety equipment and services bundle package that includes tasers, body cameras, car camera systems, software and digital evidence management. It also includes what Kerr called “AI-assisted report writing” that pulls information from video. He said his department can add more or less controls on the tech, that officers are still required to add original writing, and that the AI helps “remove human error” from their reports.
Sitka’s Assembly decided last week to contract with the same company for body cameras.
The Petersburg Borough will need to budget for the funds each year. The annual payments could be about $37,889. If the Borough chooses not to budget the funds in a given year, the agreement with AXON could be terminated.
The company’s quote for the Borough notes discount savings of about $18,964.59 per year, with total savings amounting to $189,645.90 under the agreement.
“I think it’s a very good value over the 10 years,” said Vice Mayor Jeigh Stanton Gregor. “There’s many pieces I like to it. I think the increased use of both camera and body cam technology is excellent. It protects our officers and civilians alike. It is great for accountability.”
Stanton Gregor moved to approve the agreement, seconded by Assembly Member James Valentine. The resolution passed unanimously with a 7–0 vote on March 2.
