The Odessa City Council will vote Tuesday night on whether to enter a 10-year, $7 million agreement with Axon, a Scottsdale, Arizona-based company that develops technology and weapons for law enforcement agencies and the military.
Last week Odessa Police Department Deputy Chief Matt Davidson and Corporal Ian Kapets told council members during a workshop that the company will provide OPD with the latest technology possible, including Tasers, body-worn cameras, helmet cameras, dash cams and drones. The company would also provide training and records management and evidence management systems. Those systems would also improve the department’s ability to share records and evidence with the courts.
Davidson and Kapets said some of the contract could be paid for with seized assets, but were hesitant to throw out any figures because it varies from year-to-year. However, they noted the contract would lock in the costs for the next 10 years, costs that are guaranteed to go up every year and the department would be spending money on the equipment and software anyway.
The council will also:
Consider signing a $356,797 contract with ONYX General Contractors to improve drainage, handicap access and sidewalks at 10 intersections, including those at Penbrook Street and Bonham Avenue, Dixie Boulevard and Walnut Avenue and P Bar Ranch Road and King Ranch.
Consider accepting a $20,000 donation to Odessa Fire Rescue from the Occidental Petroleum Company and $10,000 to OFR from Chevron. OFR Chief John Alvarez said the $20,000 would go toward hazard materials training and technical rescue training and the $10,000 would be used as needed.
Consider giving an $82,900 contract to Crafro of Chandler for five years worth of crack sealing compound. The compound is enough to cover 16 miles of roads.
