After months of tension between Denver Mayor Mike Johnston and the City Council, Denver is ending its relationship with license plate-reading camera vendor Flock Safety, awarding the contract to Axon, according to an announcement from Johnston’s office Tuesday.
The announcement comes just days after Denver City Auditor Tim O’Brien refused to countersign the contract, citing concerns over “a risk of liability for the city.”
“We’ve heard the community loud and clear, and it is time to make a change,” Johnston said in a news release. “Axon is among our most reliable partners and will collaborate with us on strong safeguards that protect immigrants, women seeking reproductive healthcare, and the constitutional rights of Denverites. I’m grateful to Council for helping us build a data system that is accountable to our residents and that will set the standard for how cities balance the needs for both privacy and safety.”…