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Nashville council approves downtown public-safety grants after heated public hearing over surveillance
Summary
After an extended public hearing with dozens of residents, the Metropolitan Council approved a package of state- and private-funded downtown safety grants and related agreements that fund replacement cameras, a mobile command post, a tactical support post and an armored rescue vehicle; opponents warned the equipment could enable surveillance and be used against immigrants and unhoused people.
The Metropolitan Council on Tuesday approved a set of measures to accept state and private funding for downtown public-safety equipment, including replacement video cameras, a mobile command post, a tactical support post and an armored rescue vehicle.
Council members heard more than two hours of public testimony before voting. Residents and organizers repeatedly told council that the proposed uses — which, as presented by sponsors, include upgraded cameras and tactical equipment — risked escalating policing and enabling collaboration with federal immigration enforcement. “The urgency of the attempt to immediately spend the money from this grant on high-tech surveillance and military equipment for MNPD is actually quite…
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