The Grosse Pointe Farms City Council approved a memorandum of understanding with Grosse Pointe Public Schools that provides limited, pre-authorized access to school security cameras during serious emergency incidents.

Public safety Director Hutchins said the agreement responds to requests from the schools to improve situational awareness in incidents such as active violence, fires or bomb threats, and represents a step up from the current absence of any live-access protocol. Hutchins described the measure as an operational tool that could help public-safety personnel “pinpoint what we want” during a critical incident.

City Attorney Burgess told council he had reviewed the agreement and raised no legal objection; he said the draft had been edited in coordination with public-safety staff and the school district and that it improves the city’s capability while keeping controls in place. A council member who recalled being a student during the Columbine attack praised the safeguards and said the policy appropriately balances privacy with emergency response needs.

Mayor Pro Tem Soroka moved to approve the security-camera system livestream use agreement; the motion was seconded, discussed briefly, and approved by voice vote.

Council members said the agreement contains safeguards to limit routine use and to prevent automated or AI-driven identification systems from being used without further approval. The MOU does not create permanent continuous access; it defines conditions and supervision for emergency situations and remains subject to the terms negotiated with the school district.

The agreement passed on a council motion; the city manager and public-safety director will coordinate implementation steps and operational training with district staff.