Council authorizes police to verify existing data‑sharing agreement with Alabama Power after private executive session
Loading...
Summary
Council approved an ordinance authorizing the police chief to verify a security/data‑sharing arrangement involving Alabama Power and ALIA for access to licensed‑reader camera data; concerns about who can access license‑plate reader (LPR) information prompted a 15‑minute executive session before final approval.
The Birmingham City Council on Feb. 17 approved an ordinance authorizing the police chief to verify and enter a security agreement involving Alabama Power and the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALIA) to provide licensed‑reader camera services and access to the Alabama Criminal Justice Information System. City staff said the arrangement involves no cost to the city.
Councilors pressed staff and the police for a plain‑language explanation about who would have access to LPR (license‑plate reader) data and how it would be governed. Citing the security‑sensitive nature of the topic, city counsel recommended—and the council voted—to go into executive session to discuss security plans and measures. The council recessed for about 15 minutes and later returned, noting no votes were taken during executive session.
After the closed discussion and additional questions, councilors voted to pass the ordinance authorizing the police chief to verify the agreement. A police representative described the arrangement as a verification that the department has an existing agreement with Alabama Power to supply licensed‑reader cameras and to ensure that Alabama Power is held to the rules and regulations that govern access to criminal justice information.
