In 2021, Coral Springs Police examine drone footage during a search for a missing person. {Courtesy City of Coral Springs}
Coral Springs city commissioners on Wednesday unanimously approved a $5.5 million contract for the police department to purchase new drones, body cameras, Tasers, and other high-tech equipment.
The five-year contract with Axon Enterprise of Scottsdale, Arizona, will run from June 2024 through September 2029, equipping the city police force with the latest in crime-fighting technology.
According to city records, a previous contract with Axon is expiring, and police need updated body-worn cameras, Tasers, and digital evidence management systems to “ensure operational readiness and keep up with increasing technological demands.”
“Additionally, public safety is seeking to incorporate a fleet of drones to assist the department in their daily functions,” adding to the city’s existing drone fleet, records state.
Coral Springs Police Deputy Chief Ryan Gallagher, who oversees the department’s operations division, told commissioners the new technology is crucial.
“For us and the citizens, having the body cams to record everything that occurs, it leaves no question if there’s ever a concern,” Gallagher said, adding that Tasers reduce injuries for officers and the public.
The first year of the contract will deliver equipment that includes 270 body-worn cameras of the latest model type, 255 Tasers including cartridges and training, six drones, unlimited digital evidence storage, and a virtual reality training platform for police.
The city waived its procurement process to select Axon due to its positive experience with the company during its prior contract, officials said.
Coral Springs Commissioner Joy Carter said the price tag for the police equipment got her attention.
“I had heart failure when I saw the dollar amount, but it’s over five years” and Axon has provided good results for the city, Carter said.
“I think it is very important that you do have the proper equipment in order to be able to serve the residents’ needs,” she told Gallagher.
Gallagher said all the technology will connect with the city’s digital evidence system as well as with the Broward State Attorney’s online system, smoothing the way for criminal prosecutions.
According to the city, 3,339 police agencies across the U.S. use Axon’s body-worn cameras, including 89 in Florida – the Broward Sheriff’s Office and Fort Lauderdale Police among them.
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