Tempe Council on Sept. 10 passed an ordinance to approve an almost $7 million five-year contract with Axon Enterprise Inc. in a 6-1 vote, with Councilmember Bobby Nichols dissenting.
The ordinance includes a clause that prohibits the city from turning on the automatic license plate reader technology, known as ALPR, that is available in the Axon equipment.
“It’s important for us to be thoughtful as we move forward to think about not only the technology, but the storage of the data that people might be against,” Nichols, a freshman member who ran on a platform of banning the technology, said as he explained his vote.
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Tempe Council on Sept. 10 passed an ordinance to approve an almost $7 million five-year contract with Axon Enterprise Inc. in a 6-1 vote, with Councilmember Bobby Nichols dissenting.
The ordinance includes a clause that prohibits the city from turning on the automatic license plate reader technology, known as ALPR, that is available in the Axon equipment.
“It’s important for us to be thoughtful as we move forward to think about not only the technology, but the storage of the data that people might be against,” Nichols, a freshman member who ran on a platform of banning the technology, said as he explained his vote.
Many public comments urged the council to deny the contract, calling on the security risks and ALPR capabilities.
Nathan Taylortaft, a student at Arizona State University, said that he did not trust Axon and was concerned with the police having the ability to use ALPR technology, despite the ordinance prohibiting it.
“I urge you to not approve this contract and pass a comprehensive ordinance banning all ALPRs, not just for law enforcement use,” he said.
Others called the ideas fear-mongering and unnecessary.
“Tempe is getting less safe,” said Rob Ferraro, president of the Tempe Officers Association. “With every loss of a useful crime prevention tool, every attack on our officers and every statement of support not backed by meaningful action, we are making Tempe and its residents less safe.”
Councilmember Brooke St. George, also in her freshman year, said that she supported the change because it cut costs for the city but also included police technology that the city has used before.
“This includes a lot of things that we really do want our police officers to have, like body cameras, tazers and technology to support the real-time operations center,” St. George said.
The city is estimated to save over $600,000 a year with the new contract and will pay $1.56 million annually until 2030.
To voice your opinion on this story, connect with us at AzOpinions@iniusa.org.
Madeline Bates joined Independent Newsmedia in 2025 as a Phoenix/Tempe reporter. Before graduating college, she spent a semester in Washington as a Congressional reporter in the first 100 days of the second Trump administration. But local news is where her heart is. She is excited to be in Phoenix full time and exploring new parts of the city (as long as they have AC).
Community: After living in East Phoenix for two years, she fell in love with Paradise Valley, Mesa, Tempe, and everywhere in between. She recently discovered the beauty of the South Mountain Reserve and hopes to continue exploring should the weather comply.
Education: Madeline has a degree in Journalism and Mass Communications from Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and a certificate in Political History and Leadership.
Random Fact: She is a self-taught nail tech. No, she cannot do your nails.
Hobbies: Hiking (when its not 100 degrees), fiction writing, cooking, baking and trying new coffee shops.
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