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Council hears public concern about license‑plate reader grant; refers both grants to consent agenda
Summary
Council took a public hearing on two grant applications — a finance grant for the Sugarhouse streetcar extension and a COPS technology grant for license-plate readers — and referred both items to a future consent agenda. A former Racial Equity and Policing Commissioner urged strict privacy protections and local control of LPR data.
The council took a public hearing on two grant applications: an innovative finance and asset concession grant to advance the Sugarhouse streetcar extension and an FY24 COPS technology & equipment grant for license‑plate reader (LPR) cameras. Sylvia Richards introduced the items and described intended uses.
MJ Powell, identified as a former Salt Lake City Racial Equity and Policing Commissioner, urged the council to attach strict conditions if it accepts federal funds for surveillance tools. Powell requested transparency about the number and location of devices, explicit local control to prevent federal agencies (including DOJ, COPS, ICE, or DHS Investigations) from accessing LPR data without local approval, community‑oriented portions of funding for non‑surveillance programs, strict data retention limits, annual public reporting, and independent audits.
After public comment, the council moved to close the hearing and refer both grant items (B1 and B2) to a future consent agenda; the motion passed unanimously.
