Council member urges clearer timeline on preserving city camera data tied to alleged federal agent misconduct
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Summary
Council member Buonze pressed the administration for overdue action on a legislative directive to preserve and manage city data (including camera footage) connected to alleged unlawful federal agent actions, saying volunteer attorneys need access to evidence and that a March 24 directive deadline was missed.
Council member Buonze used the committee’s legislative‑directive update to press city staff and the Office of Community Safety (OCS) for a clearer timeline and concrete steps to preserve video and other data that could serve as evidence related to alleged unlawful actions by federal agents during Operation Metro Surge.
Buonze said volunteer attorneys inundated with ICE‑related cases had requested temporary changes to data‑retention practices while the surge was ongoing, and she characterized the March 24 due date for the directive as overdue. “Directive ... had a March 24 due date, which we are long beyond,” Buonze said, adding that the city’s cameras and other records had proved decisive in at least one case that led to charges being dropped. She urged collaboration with the administration to modify retention practices without creating privacy or surveillance risks for residents.
Commissioner Ty Barnett and OCS staff acknowledged ongoing work and said meetings were being scheduled to coordinate presentations and gather information from multiple departments. Barnett said one follow‑up the committee could expect was a city auditor review of surveillance technology and recommendations for data security. Council members asked for timetables and staff promised to provide firmer dates after coordinating departmental schedules.
No formal action (vote) on new policy was taken at the meeting; the committee received and filed the update and requested follow‑up reporting on timelines and retention policy work.
