The Nevada Independent reported that the Reno City Council voted 5-2 on Wednesday to approve an eight-year, $21.8 million agreement with Axon Enterprise. The deal keeps license plate readers in Reno after the city moved away from Flock Safety.
The Axon agreement also covers body cameras, Tasers, drones and AI software that helps officers draft police reports. Most of the value is equipment Reno police already use from Axon, according to the staff report. Mayor Hillary Schieve and Councilmember Meghan Ebert voted no.
What changes for drivers in Reno?
The city confirmed less than two weeks before the vote that it would not renew its Flock contract. The Axon deal is set up to replace those cameras, but only if Axon accepts the council's conditions.
- Axon license plate readers would go on fixed poles and in patrol cars.
- The Flock contract runs through mid-March.
- The Axon agreement would take effect Jan. 1.
The contract covers Reno police. The source does not say it changes cameras run by neighboring cities, the county, the state, businesses or HOAs. To see what is mapped near you, check the camera map, and for published transparency records, see agency records.
Does switching from Flock to Axon fix the privacy concerns?
Critics say it does not. Harrison Emery, speaking for the Flock Off Coalition, said many of the claims are the same across the two vendors. He told the council the system is still an ALPR network.
City records show 71 of 79 written comments opposed the item before the meeting. Five supported it and three were neutral or concerned.
The approved agreement includes conditions proposed by Councilmember Devon Reese:
- Plate data not tied to an investigation is deleted after 15 days, down from 30 under department policy.
- Quarterly audits, with public reports from the police chief every three months.
- Council approval for any new surveillance technology.
- The city can end the contract on 30 days' notice without penalty.
Police Chief Corey Solferino said every plate search will require a case number and that searches will be logged and audited. Schieve questioned why the contract was not put out for competitive bids.
What happens next with the Axon deal?
If Axon does not agree to the conditions, there is no deal and the item comes back to the council, according to the city attorney's office. The source does not give a date for that step.
If the agreement goes forward, the Axon plate readers would take effect Jan. 1, while the Flock contract runs through mid-March.