Refining city policy on the use of surveillance technology and review of policing policy were highlighted topics at the latest meeting of the Legislative Matters Committee.

By Joe Creason

The Legislative Matters Committee held a remote meeting on Thursday, February 18. Five City Councilors as well as the City Chair, Vice-Chair, Liaison and Clerk, were present to discuss and approve matters on the legislative agenda.

The Surveillance Technology Use Policy has been an ongoing issue in Committee talks for the past several months. Impact reports, drafted for the use of each type of surveillance technology, were examined by the Committee. The ordinance language was reviewed to ensure that effective oversight could be carried out in every instance of surveillance technology use by a city department.

The Committee discussed both the Police and Fire Chief’s capabilities to specially authorize use of surveillance technology under exigent circumstances. In any emergency where the Police or Fire Chief uses surveillance technology for an application not specifically outlined in the Use Policy, an impact report must be completed within 90 days of the emergency for the purpose of oversight.

Only the Somerville Fire Department, not the Police Department, will have the capacity to use new thermal imaging cameras, per the Surveillance Technology Use Policy. 

“If the police were using thermal imaging to look at where people are located in a house, that would not be permitted under this and if that is the case, I am comfortable with this impact report,” said Ward 3 Councilor Ben Ewen-Campen.

Use of thermal imaging cameras is common among firefighters as well as with investigative branches of fire departments who conduct inquiries into matters that may involve arson, according to Legislative Liaison Lauren Racaniello.

The civilian review board of city policing is another issue which has been in discussions by the Legislative Matters Committee. Since the national conversation on policing started in light of events last summer, residents of Somerville have called for legislative action that aligns with the current attitude towards law enforcement.

The Committee is still working to produce a solution that will address the community’s concerns and is looking to hold public meetings on the subject as soon as March 24. Rather than taking the typical approach of having a councilor propose a draft to the Committee, says Ewen-Campen, two legislative staffers have been hired to coordinate with the City Solicitor’s Office.

A policy analyst will conduct research and examine legislative solutions from other municipalities on the issue of civilian review boards for policing. An outreach coordinator has been hired for the purpose of involving as many stakeholders and perspectives as possible in order to achieve community buy-in, says Ewen-Campen.

The Somerville City charter has been revised to remove all gendered language, while ensuring that the language of the document is understandable for future reference.