Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Public commenters urge oversight via Flock cameras and condemn unpermitted street takeovers
Summary
Two members of the public urged the legislature to pursue different public-safety actions: one urged the county to request gubernatorial authorization for Flock Safety camera use to document law-enforcement activity for accountability; another asked the legislature to condemn unpermitted downtown street takeovers that disrupt traffic and public safety.
Two public speakers took the legislature’s public-comment period to spotlight public-safety concerns.
Amanda Kirsch Gessner asked legislators to informally request Governor Kathy Hochul to authorize New York-based law-enforcement agencies to use Flock Safety (license-plate reader) technology to document law-enforcement activity, arguing the measure is about "transparency, accountability, and constitutional compliance." Gessner framed the request as an oversight tool that protects rights and helps local institutions respond if federal agencies act outside legal bounds.
Zach Wynne described safety issues at the Asteri housing property (doors unsecured, fireworks in stairwells) and pressed the legislature to condemn unpermitted street takeovers and roadblocks downtown, saying they create risks for ambulances and drivers. "I would like to once again ask the legislature to condemn unpermitted shutdowns of traffic and to encourage people to keep their protests within the bounds of the law," Wynne said.
Both speakers asked the legislature to consider next steps — Gessner by urging a resolution to the governor and Wynne by asking for a formal condemnation that clarifies expectations for public protest and public safety.
