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Urbana council resumes debate on surveillance-technology ordinance; drafts to be circulated
Summary
Council discussed a drafted surveillance-technology ordinance (version 8.2) that would require public-use reports, 30-day public comment before votes, and review of existing technologies; police department proposed edits and council asked for a Word draft to consider amendments at upcoming meetings.
Council member Grace presented version 8.2 of a proposed surveillance-technology ordinance intended to provide transparency and oversight for any city acquisition or use of surveillance technologies.
The draft would require a proposed-use report and use policy, a minimum 30-day public-input period prior to council votes on new surveillance systems, annual reassessments and a process for reporting existing technologies within 120 days of the ordinance if passed. It also includes protections limiting the use of information improperly collected and sets procedures for destroying data collected in violation of the policy.
Representatives of the Urbana Police Department (UPD) proposed edits that would: state the ordinance is not intended to restrict lawful real-time law-enforcement decision-making; allow departments to continue using existing technology while council review is pending (provided required documents were submitted and no violation is identified); and change the "disaster" standard to "exigent" circumstances for limited short-term emergency uses.
Council members asked about the Civilian Police Review Board's (CPRB) proposed role in reviewing use reports and policies. Grace said the CPRB's review would be advisory, not final, and that the city attorney could draft the ordinance language needed to expand CPRB duties if the council agreed. Some members expressed concern about whether the CPRB had the training or capacity to take on the role and whether confidentiality or access to records raised procedural issues.
Council requested distribution of the ordinance text (Word/PDF) and the UPD side-by-side comparison used in the presentation; Grace agreed to circulate the materials. Council members indicated they intend to consider amendment votes at upcoming Committee of the Whole and city council meetings.
