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The Tennessee Conservative Staff –
The Knoxville City Council approved a contract renewal on Tuesday that will allow the Knoxville Police Department to potentially gain access to private surveillance cameras.
The $27.6 million, eleven-and-a-half year contract with Axon Enterprise was approved in a 7-2 vote after a heated debate in which several of those in attendance, including City Councilwoman Amelia Parker, were removed. Parker and Councilwoman Seema Singh voted against the contract.
Law enforcement officials argue that the new contract will enhance safety, shortening the time needed for obtaining video in a crime investigation. However, opponents are concerned about unnecessary surveillance, privacy breaches, and racial bias.
Councilwoman Gwen McKenzie stated that the software would not be used as “big brother,” and Police Chief Paul Noel noted that any access to video feed would be documented, so it would be easy to audit that in regard to privacy concerns.
The City already contracts with Axon for body and vehicle cameras, tasers, interrogation room cameras, and software for storing records. The updated contract will add software that allows the KPD to access private cameras, with permission of the owners, and to store all records in the Fusus database.
Interestingly, Nashville’s Metro Council recently rejected Fusus, despite a push from Metro Nashville Police Chief John Drake.
