Arvada Press 041422

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Week of April 14, 2022

JEFFERSON COUNTY, COLORADO

A publication of

INSIDE: VOICES: PAGE 14 | LIFE: PAGE 16 | CALENDAR: PAGE 19 | SPORTS: PAGE 24

VOLUME 17 | ISSUE 43

Arvada PD signs $2.8 million contract for body-worn cameras 203 body-worn cameras expected to be implemented across APD by July BY RYLEE DUNN RDUNN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

One particularly large kite flies overhead.

PHOTO BY RYLEE DUNN

Arvada Kite Festival returns to Stenger Soccer Complex after two-year hiatus 19th iteration of festival for kite enthusiasts comes after COVID-induced layoff STAFF REPORT

For the first time in two years, Thousands of kites filled the skies above the Stenger Soccer Complex in Arvada on April 10, as the Arvada Kite Festival returned for its 19th iteration after a COVID19-induced layoff. The event was organized by the Arvada Festival Commission and admission was SEE FESTIVAL, P2

BEST OF THE BEST

The scene at Stenger Soccer Complex as kite-flyers try to wrangle their kites. PHOTO BY RYLEE DUNN

The Arvada Police Department is has signed $2.8 million contract to purchase body-worn cameras for its officers in an effort to become compliant with Senate Bill 20-217, which requires all law enforcement agencies in Colorado to have body-worn cameras by July 2023. Assuming there are no delays, APD will deploy 203 body-worn cameras by July 2022. APD does not currently have body worn cameras — a fact that led to increased scrutiny during the Olde Town Square shooting last summer. The contract is with Axon, a vendor APD Commander Betsy Westbrook described as “willing to support the Arvada Police Department in the long term,” at a March 28 Arvada City Council meeting. The police department secured a Colorado Department of Public Safety grant of $235,000 that will help offset the cost. SB 20-217, which was passed in June 2020, is an unfunded mandate, meaning the state has no onus to help law enforcement agencies with the cost of body-worn cameras. APD’s contract with Axon is a package that includes body-worn cameras, mounts for the camera, docking stations and new tasers for the department. Arvada Police Department Public Information Officer Dave Snelling said that tasers were included in the packSEE CAMERAS, P4

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