Syracuse lawmakers are switching providers for license plate readers — but Flock Safety has threatened to make taxpayers pay for both.
Flock Safety, the city’s current license plate reader provider, contacted Mayor Sharon Owens after it learned of the city’s plan to ax its Flock partnership and contract with Flock’s rival, Axon Enterprise. Flock in a letter to city officials warned Owens that the city’s plans to drop Flock could result in Syracuse taxpayers footing the bill for both products.
The Syracuse Common Council on Monday voted 7-1 to approve a five-year, $422,636.28 contract with Axon for 26 automatic license plate readers. Councilors also pledged to vote at their next voting session on legislation that would revoke Flock’s privileges to access and operate its surveillance systems on Syracuse streets…