Council committee defers community safety camera ordinance for further vetting

The Public Health & Safety Committee voted to defer an ordinance that would amend Metro code to add guardrails, oversight and reporting requirements for a community safety camera network.

Sponsor Council Member Horton presented BL 20 25‑690, saying the bill creates two broad components: a guardrail section that limits uses and access, and an oversight section with reporting and audit requirements. Horton said the intent is to address community concerns while preserving MNPD’s operational needs.

Why it matters: The ordinance seeks to define lawful uses, access controls and public reporting for community camera programs and third‑party vendors. Council members debated the scope and sought stronger language around probable cause, exigent circumstances, auditing and how residential areas would be treated.

Council Member Huffman moved a one‑meeting deferral with re‑referral to Public Health & Safety; Council Member Prepte offered a superseding motion for a two‑meeting deferral to allow legal review and fuller amendment drafting. The two‑meeting deferral failed by roll call (4 in favor, 6 opposed). A motion for a one‑meeting deferral then passed; the sponsor and several members said they would continue drafting amendments and meet with Metro Legal and MNPD before the next committee meeting.

Council members raised specific concerns about the bill’s residential‑area language and whether it would unintentionally limit investigations at mixed‑use buildings where residences and businesses share space. Several members said they would use the next meeting to negotiate precise wording and potential third‑party audit requirements.

The committee will revisit the ordinance at its next meeting after the requested drafting and legal review.