KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – The next time Flock cameras come up for contract renewal at Kalamazoo City Hall, the city commission will put the matter on the agenda and take a vote.
That may not be for another year.
Their current contract for use of the controversial but useful license plate readers was recently renewed.
The revisions approved to the purchasing policy this week would also include other similar surveillance systems used to monitor or identify members of the public.
Commissioner Jae Slaby crafted the language so that it applies to every city department, not just Kalamazoo Public Safety.
City Attorney Aaron Leal had recommended another option that identified more types of equipment but limited it to public safety contracts.
Commissioners Stephanie Hoffman and Chris Praedel voted against it, saying they really don’t know how the public feels about the systems.
It passed 5 to 2.
Public safety and several community leaders have expressed their support for use of the cameras, saying they have been invaluable in fighting crime.
Most of the opposition to the surveillance systems have come from community activists who claim their privacy is being violated, and are worried the system could be used improperly, or against them, even though the city has safeguards in place to keep that from happening.
There were allegations that city staff negotiated to get the price for the system lowered to under $50,000, so it wouldn’t have to be put to the commission for a vote, but that remains just an allegation.
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