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Residents urge pause, transparency on AI cameras and protest proposed meeting removal powers in handbook changes
Summary
Multiple public commentators at the July 28 Mankato City Council meeting urged the council to pause an AI surveillance program, raised concerns about Flock ALPR use and potential federal data sharing, and warned against handbook language allowing removal of members of the public from meetings.
Several residents used the public forum at the July 28 Mankato City Council meeting to press the council on an artificial intelligence‑enabled camera proposal, to ask that the city rescind prior approval of surveillance tools and to oppose handbook language they said could permit removal of speakers.
Benton Bakke, identifying himself as a resident, criticized surveillance contractors and expressed cybersecurity concerns. Bakke said staff had told him an AI component “would not be turned on” in connection with cameras proposed for public safety vehicles but suggested surveillance vendors and federal partnerships create risk: “Anyone in cybersecurity…
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