By Jim Bloch
The Port Huron City Council has approved a contract with Accredited Security of Naples, Florida to buy 28 refurbished TASERs for $25,197, including a $25 shipping charge.
TASERs are weapons used to fire two barbs into people connected by wires to the gun, which delivers a 50,000 volt shock to the victims, temporarily disabling them and rendering them safely manageable by police officers.
The council voted unanimously at its regular meeting Sept. 11 to support the purchase.
“This has been a goal of ours for the last few years to replace these TASERs,” said City Manager James Freed, as heard on the recording of the meeting posted on YouTube.
“(These) are part of our de-escalation tactics and prevention of loss of life.”
Police Chief Joe Platzer landed funding of $14,000 to offset the purchase price. In addition, Accredited Security will pay the city $2,175 upon the return of the old TASERS. The overall cost to the city will then be just over $9,000.
The police department’s current TASERs are 18 years old and the department uses two different models, Platzer said. “This will put us on the same platform because everyone will be using the same TASERs.”
As a consequence, training and repairs will be simplified.
“When all is said and done, it will cost us $9,022 roughly,” said Platzer.
The police department did not seek other bidders because there are no other bidders.
“Accredited Security, a Nevada corporation operating in Florida, is the sole source for purchases of used LE TASER equipment and the sole supplier of TASER X26 equipment,” said Jeffrey R. Wagner, president and chief executive officer, of Accredited Security, in a letter to the city. “There are no other companies that purchase, refurbish and sell used TASER equipment or do business or have ever done this business in the refurbished secondary market of the electronic weaponry industry.”
The company operates under many different names: Accredited Safety, Electronic Weaponry, Electronic Weapon, Mr. Stun Gun, Mister Stun Gun, Stun Gun Weapons and others.
“However, we are all one and the same, and the only company that operates exclusively in this type of specialized business,” Wagner said.
The firm has been in business for more than 20 years.
The city council voted 5-0 to approve the purchase. Council members Anita Ashford and Jeff Pemberton were absent.
Jim Bloch is a freelance writer based in St. Clair, Michigan. Contact him at bloch.jim@gmail.com.
