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Public input sought before LPR decision. * David Bradley For The T. Times * Jul 29, 2026 The city of Brevard wants public input on license plate reading cameras before the technology is adopted by the police department. The cameras (LPRs) were again the topic of considerable discussion at the city council's public safety committee meeting with the committee ultimately recommending the public weigh in on the devices before the council moves ahead. This was at least the third time the LPRs have been on the table at the committee level. The cameras have generated nationwide controversy for the perceived potential of misuse including facial recognition, unwarranted sharing of information and other possible abuses. Brevard stands to gain, at no charge, three of the cameras as part of a five-year, nearly $80,000 package deal where the police department will also buy upgraded tasers and body cameras produced by Axon, a company that aims to break in to the LPR market currently dominated by Flock. Several Flock cameras are already in use by the Transylvania County Sheriff's Office. Although Brevard would receive the cameras at no cost, a monthly fee for data storage, etc., would be included in the contract. The committee previously asked Police Chief Christy Wentzell to prepare a stringent policy aimed at responsible use of the cameras and sharply limit who in the department would administer the program and have access to the camera data and how that information would be shared, if at all, with other law enforcement agencies. Committee members also wanted solid contractual assurances from Axon on privacy safeguards that would keep data in city control and limit the potential for the technology to expand into other areas such as citizen tracking or identification. The city would own all images and data and be the sole decision maker for use of the data. City attorney Mack McKeller reviewed the contract and said he "found nothing that gave (him) any higher concerns (about the LPRs)." "I felt pretty good that this is as tight a rein that can be put on information (that is collected)," he said. "(Axon) are very concerned about ownership of data" and made it "very clear that the customer owns the content we collect. They seem to take steps to make sure it is not personally identifiable. They have heard public concerns and are trying to address it upfront." Axon differs somewhat from Flock as it offers evidence systems in addition to tasers and body cameras while Flock largely limits itself to license plate readers. Should the cameras not prove beneficial or live up to expectations, McKeller said both sides can mutually terminate the contract with 90 days notice. Wentzell relayed success stories of law enforcement agencies in nearby communities, including Hendersonville, who found the cameras beneficial to solving crimes and missing persons cases. She noted the Transylvania County Sheriff's Office credits Flock cameras with aiding in criminal investigations plus the location of at least six missing persons. She said although her department and the sheriff's office may use different camera technologies, her department would work with the sheriff's office on camera locations to avoid redundancies and provide broader coverage throughout the community. The chief also addressed a prior committee request for regular reports on total license plates read and cars that might be tied to crimes and thus added to 'hot lists' as well as other collected data. Brevard already has staff who are familiar with LPRs. Deputy Police Chief Alan Bonanno said he was involved with Hendersonville's Flock camera system and Brevard Fire Chief Chase Owen helped with implementation of Flock cameras at the sheriff's office. Committee members lauded the chief's report, the contract terms and the potential policy but acknowledged some public skepticism about possible abuses of the technology. Councilman Dean Lytle called it a "hot button" and "the chief deserves to answer those questions to the public before it's implemented." Both Lytle and Councilman Aaron Baker advocated for a public input meeting. Baker said misinformation could be addressed during a public meeting. Earlier in the meeting city staff updated the committee on traffic calming measures and possible revisions to several intersections, including East Main and Wilson Drive near the Silvermont mansion. That busy intersection may be eligible for a small state Department of Transportation grant specifically intended for small town intersections to lower traffic speeding and improved pedestrian safety. Staff noted challenges, including steep hills along West Main, that might limit the use of speed bumps in that area near Rosenwald that some motorists use as a bypass to the speed bumps on Probart Street. City staff will continue to look for a solution as it will for pedestrian access in The Lumberyard area at King Street and Railroad Avenue.

Axon Enterprise has appointed Vivek Mohindra and Eiso Kant as independent directors to its board. Mohindra brings leadership experience from technology companies including Dell Technologies, whilst Kant adds expertise in artificial intelligence and large-scale infrastructure. The appointments signal Axon's focus on technology leadership and AI as it develops its connected platform. The stock currently trades at $511.17, having gained 183.9% over three years but declining 29.1% in the past year. The board refresh may influence Axon's execution on international expansion and product development. However, the company faces valuation concerns, trading at a price-to-earnings ratio of approximately 200 times versus an industry average of 38 times.

Axon co-founder and CEO Rick Smith recalls the early days of building the Taser maker, when he had to knock on doors and teach certification classes to drum up interest in the unproven enforcement product. Smith developed training courses with a Marine friend who travelled cross-country in a Winnebago. "It was the grunt work that got us going. There was absolutely zero magic," Smith said on the Power Players podcast. The company, originally founded in 1993 in a Tucson garage, nearly went bankrupt in the late 1990s before going public in 2001. Smith said the breakthrough moment came when Sacramento police bought Tasers for every officer, about three months before the IPO. Axon recently posted $807 million in first quarter revenue, up 34% year over year.