Grand Teton rangers halt aging bodycam program

Grand Teton National Park officials say rangers have stopped recording interactions on body cameras and dashcams, citing an aging and costly camera system.

The Jackson Hole News and Guide reports the body camera program has been in operation at the western Wyoming park for over a decade, but it was suspended indefinitely in January while officials search for an alternative.

Chief Ranger Michael Nash says officials are examining options. He says the park’s camera system was becoming outdated with body cameras breaking and batteries losing charge.

Park public affairs officer Denise Germann says storage for the camera footage was also an issue, and downloading that footage was time-consuming for rangers.

Germann says new body cameras can cost about $800 each, and dashcams can cost up to $7,000 per vehicle.