Ion 247

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Ion Interactive Video Technologies is a private surveillance company founded by Ed Welden. The company was the lone bidder to supply and monitor 40 surveillance cameras for the Birmingham Police Department's "Operation Vulcan's Thunder", which was proposed by Mayor Larry Langford in December 2007.

A five-year contract with Ion Interactive was approved by the Birmingham City Council on January 22, 2008. The company will be paid up to $1.4 million per year to install, monitor and maintain 40 cameras in locations directed by Police Chief A. C. Roper. The contract renews automatically up to five years.

Ion previously employed two off-duty Sheriff's deputies to monitor cameras installed at private facilities. The company plans to hire 18 additional surveillors to fulfill their contract with the city. The mayor's office indicated to the Council that Ion agreed to a minimum of 50% minority participation in their personnel and subcontracts in order to secure their support.

The Birmingham Weekly has not been able to find incorporation documents for Ion Interactive at the Alabama Department of State or the Jefferson County Probate Office.

The company shares its address with Tech Providers, Inc, a company headed by Claude Estes III which has been contracted by the city to install accounting and payroll software at City Hall and train employees. A $1.3 million contract was approved in January 2008 and an additional $3.2 million was requested in September of the same year. The same company was involved in no-bid contracts with the State of Alabama. Their contracts tripled under Don Seigelman's administration after the company hired the Matrix Group as consultants. The Matrix Group managed Langford's mayoral campaign.

References

  • Norris, Toraine (December 17, 2007) "Mayor Larry Langford promises web of cameras to keep watch on Birmingham crime." Birmingham News
  • Bryant, Joseph D. (January 17, 2008) "Birmingham City Council committee OKs extra $1.4 million a year to enhance security." Birmingham News
  • Whitmire, Kyle (January 22, 2008) "What’s next? RoboCop?" Birmingham Weekly Mixed Media blog
  • Whitmire, Kyle (September 10, 2008) "Leapin' Larry throws a bone". Birmingham Weekly Mixed Media blog
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