Marco Island Nixes Police Body Cameras 

Marco Island City Council  - often dubbed Florida’s safest city - nixed the idea of police-worn body cameras on Monday.  

A tight City budget and lack of complaints against officers in the past five years were the reasons cited by Police Chief Tracy Frazzano and echoed by Council.  

Council took on several issues Monday evening following their budget workshop earlier in the afternoon. Among them was a decision not to move forward with police-worn body cameras at this time. Council did not take a formal vote on the issue, but after discussion, the general consensus seemed to be against moving forward, with Councilors Stephen Gray and Tamara Goehler in support. The estimated cost of $1.7 million was a main reason not to move forward, they each said.  

“We also are the safest city in Florida,” said Councilwoman Bonita Schwan.  

Marco Island has been ranked in the top 10 safest cities in Florida for several years, and the number one by Safewise in 2024 based on FBI statistics.  

Frazzano and Lt. Joseph Belardo offered a presentation on the pros and cons of body-worn cameras to Council, citing a $1.7 million initial year cost that included additional resources to supplement the body cameras.  

Body-worn cameras became popularly used in 2014 after Michael Brown, 18, was shot and killed by police officer Darren Wilson in Ferguson, Missouri, said Belardo 

“We saw widespread use after that,” he said. 

Police involved shootings and complaints are the main reasons for cameras, Belardo said.  

“Privacy is going to be an issue,” he said.  

An expense of $1.7 million in the first year of a five-year lease and more than $2 million total over that time is a deterrent from purchase, Belardo said.  

Axon is the company considered, and the expenses include a need for two more staff members and updated in-car cameras, Frazzano said.  

She outlined why the cameras were not needed, including zero police shootings and zero use of force complaints, and about two civilian complaints total per year, Frazzano said.  

Body-worn cameras aren’t as necessary or beneficial in a small town, like Marco Island, she described. 

“We are not suggesting body-worn cameras at this time,” Frazzano said.  

Goehler had suggested the consideration of the cameras, and Council agreed to review it as the budget is being considered. 

Councilors Deb Henry and Rene Champagne felt the time was wasted.  

“I just think it would be horrible for morale,” said Henry.  

“I brought this up not because I’m challenging the work you do,” said Goehler, adding that she respects the work of the police.  

Collier County Sheriff's Office and Naples Police Department both have body-worn cameras.  

“We just don’t think it’s the right way to spend the money right now,” Frazzano said.  

“This is a budget decision, so that is done by Council,” she said.  

“This isn’t really a need right now,” Frazzano said.  

Chairman Erik Brechnitz said he would have preferred to see additional vendor and expense options than what was presented.  

Anita Sargese of Marco Island Civic Association was the only public speaker on the topic.  

“I am for the body cams,” Sargese said.  

Her husband was in law enforcement in New Jersey where body cams are required, she said. “They were immediately against it but soon they realized it got them out of hot water in a he said/she said situation,” Sargese said.  

“They’re not complicated cameras to use. Literally, you push it on, you push it off,” she said, pressing her chest as if a small camera were on her lapel.