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Goodyear adopts traffic-camera recording policy with 14-day baseline retention
Summary
The council adopted a traffic camera recording policy that sets a 14-day baseline retention consistent with state guidelines, funds implementation ($300,000 upfront across a three-year subscription), and limits routine access to engineering staff with a process for police requests.
The Goodyear City Council on Oct. 28 adopted a policy governing the operation and recording of traffic cameras, establishing a baseline retention period aligned with state retention guidelines and a restricted access process intended to prioritize traffic engineering uses while allowing law enforcement access under an approved request process.
City Engineer Steve Sento told council that staff separated traffic camera recording from license-plate-reader (LPR) and real-time crime center topics and that the proposed policy focuses on recordings from traffic cameras used for traffic operations, training, incident investigation and equipment damage. He said the policy points to state retention guidelines and that staff recommends a 14-day minimum retention, consistent with the state, and noted that if police pull footage for an investigation retention rules may extend (staff cited a six-month retention for footage subpoenaed or held for investigations).
Sento said the upfront implementation budget is $300,000 to buy the software and hardware needed to store 14 days of footage for the existing cameras; he described that as an upfront cost that covers a three-year subscription. Council members raised privacy and oversight questions, including who authorizes viewing and what safeguards exist to prevent misuse. Staff described a request form and approval authority that would be required for non-traffic uses and said engineering staff would manage routine access with a formal process for police requests.
Council members including Stipp and Gilles emphasized transparency about the policy’s limits and that the item intentionally excluded LPRs for now; they said the city will return with a separate discussion on LPRs and any proposed real-time crime center integration. After discussion, the council adopted the policy; the motion passed 6-0.
What the policy means: traffic camera footage will be primarily used for traffic engineering and related training; public records requests will be handled under state law; authorized requests for investigative or law-enforcement uses will follow a defined approval process.
Next steps: staff will implement the recording and storage system, publish the policy and request form, and return to council with any proposed real-time crime center or LPR integration plans.
