We have a responsibility to ensure the technology we use to support our police department are held to the same high standard as our officers. I applaud (Police Chief Paul Joseph) for putting forward safeguards that ensure we can continue to leverage this technology responsibly and for its intended purpose - keeping San Joseans safe.
The Los Gatos Town Council approved a $2.79 million agreement with Axon Enterprise over the next 10 years for a suite of upgraded technology to be used by the Los Gatos Monte Sereno Police Department. Axon Enterprise develops weapons and technology for the military, law enforcement and civilians. It is known for developing the Taser, which used be the name of the company. The agreement would equip police with the Axon Integrated Safety and Law Enforcement 10+ program, or ISLE 10+.
Fragmented and stop-start technology investment has resulted in the police being slow to adopt new technologies - and benefit from the expected productivity improvements - at a national level, according to a report from the National Audit Office (NAO). The UK's independent public spending watchdog said that in the financial year 2024-25, His Majesty's Treasury provided £234 million over four years to help fund investments in police technology, including £55.5 million in that year.
The new anti-theft program is funded by a $100,000 grant provided by the District Attorney's Office and will allow about 200 businesses to be equipped with the new technology, Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen announced. Organized retail theft gangs are terrorizing our community, and they're not just destroying store fronts and stealing jewelry, Rosen said at the press conference. They're destroying dreams, stealing livelihoods and making it difficult for mom-and-pop store owners to put food on the table for themselves and their children.
