Residents ask Homewood to limit third‑party surveillance; police defend policies

At the July 14 Homewood village board meeting, residents urged the board to consider restricting third‑party surveillance systems after citing national news accounts of data sharing and alleged misuse.

"So I was wondering if the village would consider an ordinance to forbid... other surveillance technology inside village limits, as a way of protecting our residents and the visitors to our fair village," resident Kenneth Woll told the board, adding he was concerned about availability of camera data to parties outside their jurisdiction.

Quincy Crump, another Homewood resident, said she supported the concern but expressed confidence in the local police while noting worries about third‑party control of camera data: "It takes it out of that relationship between the community and the police department and takes it to a 3rd party, which has a history of having issues with, like, security and safety of what's going on with that information."

A police official responding at the meeting said the department has "some very strict policies" and described them as a "gold standard" for police policy. The official cited Chief Tom Johnson and Deputy Chief Steve Brandenburg as ethical and accountable officials overseeing use of surveillance tools.

Mayor Holofield acknowledged the concerns and indicated the village would follow up with staff to review existing policies and consider whether additional restrictions or an ordinance were warranted. The board did not vote on any surveillance‑related measure at the meeting.

The matter remains a community request for staff review; residents seeking formal action are expected to be invited back or directed to provide additional written requests to the village manager for agenda consideration.