EC Legislature Approves 5-Year Body Cam Program

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Photo credit Body cameras used by Buffalo Police. November 1, 2019 (WBEN Photo/Mike Baggerman)

BUFFALO (WBEN) - On Thursday, the Erie County Legislature unanimously approved a 5-year body camera program to be rolled out within the Erie County Sheriff's Office.

Total cost for the program is roughly $1.6 million over the next five years, and that will cover the cost of 209 body cameras.

Proud to announce the Legislature voted to approve a contract for body cameras for Sheriff Deputies today. The contract will provide more than 200 cameras for deputies who work road patrols and in the jails. pic.twitter.com/oKR01IxZiP

— April Baskin (@AprilBaskinld2) November 7, 2019

Bipartisan cooperation hasn't been the easiest to come by in recent months for the legislature, but Republican Legislator Joe Lorigo says it's an effort that was pretty easy to support.

“This is an initiative my colleagues and I have supported following many discussions at the Legislature," said Lorigo. "I look forward to getting the program underway in an effort to increase transparency and accountability within the Sheriff’s office.”