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Special meeting: Billings County pauses camera activations and directs policy draft
Summary
Following staff advice on privacy and open‑records limits and the sheriff's note about storage and evidentiary constraints, the board reached consensus at a special meeting to halt activation of surveillance cameras countywide except for the courthouse until a formal policy is drafted for departmental review.
At a special meeting on April 13, Road Superintendent Pat Redmond said cameras were installed to deter crime at the county shop and to protect equipment. The State's Attorney advised the commission on open‑records implications, retention periods, access control and privacy limits; the sheriff's office noted storage constraints and evidentiary requirements.
The commission reached consensus to halt activation of all cameras except those at the courthouse until a formal countywide policy is drafted. The board directed that a draft policy be prepared for review at the April 28 department head meeting.
