Council approves expanded park cameras, Axon body-camera amendment and pedestrian/traffic safety grants

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — The City Council on Sept. 18 approved multiple public-safety technology purchases and state grants after Police Chief Bowen described their intended uses and limitations.

Chief Bowen asked for approval of an amendment to the Flock Group agreement to add 34 license-plate-reading (LPR) cameras and 26 video cameras for installation in and around city parks and greenways under a three-year subscription costing $517,832 (initial year: $195,515). He said the systems are not continuously monitored in real time and that access is limited to a small group of crime analysts; retention was described as 30 days.

"The primary purpose of these devices ... we go back if a summons [sic] committed and we need to retrieve data," Bowen said, explaining investigators use recordings after incidents to improve solvability.

The council approved Amendment #1 to the Flock contract.

Chief Bowen also requested Amendment #4 to the city's master agreement with Axon Enterprises to purchase 20 additional body-worn cameras and an optional auto-tagging feature that automates evidence categorization. The prorated FY26 expense of $58,728 was budgeted in the department's operating budget and the council approved the amendment.

Separately, the council approved two Tennessee Highway Safety Office grants: a $60,000 pedestrian education and enforcement grant (most funds to offset overtime and $17,000 for a mobile messaging trailer) and a $150,000 community traffic safety enforcement and education grant to support traffic enforcement initiatives; neither grant requires a local match, Bowen said.

What happens next: Procurement and contracting steps proceed and the MPD will integrate Flock and Axon systems per department policies; grant funds will be used for overtime and equipment purchases as described.