PEORIA (25News Now) – A proposed five-year, nearly $13.8 million contract between Peoria and a crime-fighting technology firm includes launching a Drone as First Responder program.
The Peoria City Council Tuesday night will consider whether to continue working with Arizona-based Axon, which over the past several years has sold the city tasers, body-worn and in-squad car cameras, data storage software, and other technology.
Included in the new deal are about two dozen drones and a network of automated drone docks around the city, according to a council memo.
“This will provide faster emergency response times and improved officer safety” and provide live real-time information to responding officers before they arrive at a scene, the council memo said.
The police would also be able to use a product called, Draft One, which generates police reports from videos, allowing officers to spend more time on other public safety roles instead of writing reports.
The contract also includes 241 body-worn cameras, 253 tasers, 91 in-car cameras, and 12 interview room cameras. All would be upgrades from the city’s current stock.
City staff said the police department is requesting additional funding in the annual budget to pay for all the equipment. Staff said police will also try to offset costs by pursuing current and future grant opportunities.
The deal requires approval by two-thirds of the council or at least six votes.
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