BUFFALO, N.Y. (WBEN) - The Erie County Sheriff’s Office is ready to enter into an agreement with Axon to bring 209 body cameras to the department.
The sheriff’s office told the Erie County Legislature during Thursday’s public safety committee meeting that they will spend $1.6 million on the body cameras over five years. The costs will be significantly less than anticipated because of a recent option of free and unlimited data storage through Axon, something that was expected to cost a significant amount for the department.
"We've always favored the camera but continued to be concerned about making sure we have enough staff to do the program," Erie County Sheriff Tim Howard said. "I'm glad we're getting cameras like this but remain concerned about people being tried by one-sided explanation of what's on the video without getting the whole truth out."
More than 100 of the cameras will be used by road deputies while others will be used inside the Erie County Holding Center.
The sheriff's office will also receive $600,000 from the legislature as part of its agreement to operate a pilot program.
A sheriff's office spokesperson said that multiple other organizations who have developed cameras outside of Axon have helped lower the costs because of competition.
The legislature will vote on the measure on November 7. It will then need be signed off by the county executive