Syracuse, N.Y. — The Syracuse Common Council is poised to approve a contract with a new license plate reader vendor that councilors say will better protect resident privacy.
Councilors held a committee meeting Friday with Syracuse Police Department leaders and the city’s corporation counsel to discuss a proposed agreement with Axon Enterprises to install 26 readers throughout the city to help police investigate crimes. A vote on the contract is expected at the council’s regular meeting on Monday.
Axon’s equipment would replace 13 cameras operated for SPD by Flock Safety under an expired deal approved in 2023. Common Councilors Jimmy Monto and Corey Williams in November introduced a proposal to remove Flock’s readers. They cited concerns about Flock license plate reader data being accessed by federal immigration enforcement agencies in their controversial mass deportation effort under President Donald Trump…