VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — The Virginia Beach Sheriff’s Office went before City Council on Tuesday afternoon to request funding for body-worn cameras.
According to a report from City Manager Patrick Duhaney, VBSO wants to add the equipment, software, and services to match the capabilities of the Virginia Beach Police Department.
The Sheriff’s Office had requested the funding for the cameras to be considered in the budget for the 2024 fiscal year; however, the report says the following, in part:
Undersheriff Brian Struzzieri said, in addition to assisting with events, deputies would wear body cameras while serving warrants and also in the corrections center when working with inmates.
"We have multiple cameras inside this facility. Unfortunately, we don’t have enough to cover everything, so this is going to add that layer of protection, Struzzieri stated.
VBSO says the goal is to improve and heighten safety and security, accountability, and transparency.
Funding would be a phased approach. One option, preferred by VBSO, would carry an estimated cost of $1,751,003 annually from 2026-2023. The initial cost would be $640,123. The report shows the option starting out with 220 cameras and increasing to 500.
In 2021, Virginia Beach Police Department implemented Axon body-worn cameras under a ten-year contract.
City Council members decided to move the matter forward to be heard at the City Council meeting on March 21.
Struzzieri added, "The City staff did an amazing job expediting and getting it on the docket. I don’t think there’s anybody in law enforcement who would disagree that this is an added layer of protection for their staff. It’s going to create accountability and transparency to the citizens and I think they deserve that."
