Residents urge clearer rules on body-camera releases after video of council member traffic stop circulates

Several Prescott Valley residents used the meeting’s public-comment period on April 20 to raise concerns about the public release of police body-camera footage that shows a town council member stopped for a traffic infraction.

"None of these stated purposes include how or why the recent release of a PBPD video of a traffic stop and citation of a member of this council occurred," said Steve Caroll of Pronghorn Ranch, who distributed to council and staff a document from the National Institute of Justice outlining purposes for police body cameras. Caroll called the release "a breach of the public trust" and urged the town manager and town attorney to establish clearer, lawful controls on the release of body-camera footage to avoid "inappropriate use and abuse by uninvolved parties for political purposes."

Former council member Lucy Leyva said the footage showed a council member "was pulled over by a police officer for speeding 20 miles an hour over the limit" and that the driver "instead of taking responsibility for his actions, ... lied and suggested that he should not receive a ticket." Leyva said that behavior "undermines the very principle of accountability and respect that we expect from our leaders."

Councilman Ken Freund responded during public comment that the traffic stop "was not a recent occurrence but occurred last year" and said he had been "taken by surprise" by early, incorrect briefings about a related tragic event; he said he paid the ticket, completed traffic school and apologized for the distress the video’s social-media circulation had caused to the Grande family.

Other speakers split between criticism and defense. Jennifer Pratt urged the community to support law enforcement and said she could not see that the councillor’s conduct met standards she expects, adding, "Definitely 20 over is not legal. As far as I'm concerned, stealing a dime is still stealing." Kimberly Lopez, identified as president of the Prescott Frontier Days Rodeo, objected to a social-media post by a council member about obtaining the rodeo and said the post contained inaccuracies; she offered to meet privately to discuss the rodeo’s history and future. Cindy Neeve, a resident who said she is a friend of Councilman Freund, described Freund as "one of the kindest persons I have ever known" and urged restraint from those posting footage online.

Why it matters: Speakers raised questions about the town’s responsibilities and the balance between transparency and privacy when police body-camera footage becomes public, especially when it involves elected officials. Several asked elected leaders and staff to consider clearer local policies governing release of footage and to protect both the public trust and individual privacy.

Outcome and next steps: No formal council action was taken during the meeting on body-camera policy. Public comment included an explicit request that the town manager and town attorney review and tighten lawful controls on releasing body-camera recordings; staff did not announce specific follow-up steps during the meeting.

Speakers (in order of appearance): Steve Caroll (Pronghorn Ranch), Jennifer Pratt (resident), Kimberly Lopez (president, Prescott Frontier Days Rodeo), Lucy Leyva (former town council member), Cindy Neeve (resident), and Councilman Ken Freund (council member who commented during the public-comment period).