A general use policy governing the operation of surveillance technology in the City of Somerville is being studied by city official for possible implementation in the near future.

By Thalia Plata

The Somerville City Council’s Legislative Matters Committee discussed a new ordinance called the Surveillance Technology General Use Policy at their latest meeting on January 28.

The policy would build off the Public Oversight of Surveillance Technology ordinance passed in October of 2019 which will go into effect on October 15, 2020.

This new ordinance would provide detailed regulation of the city’s use or acquisition of surveillance technology for the collection, use, and retention of surveillance data and department heads would be required to comply with the ordinance and the policy.

This general use policy would require department heads to submit requests for the use of new technology for approval from the City Council as well as a related report at the end of the year.

The ordinance states that “the goal of this Policy is to balance the capacity of Surveillance Technology to improve the delivery of City services with the importance of maintaining individual(s)’ right to privacy.”

The Somerville City Council’s Legislative Matters Committee discussed surveillance technology at their January 28 meeting.

Legislative Matters Committee Chair and Ward 6 Councilor Lance Davis urged his fellow Committee members and representatives from the Mayor’s Office to “consider the purpose of this document and how it’s worded so that there’s no misconception.” He urged them to work to match language in the policy to the ordinance passed in October.

A representative from the Mayor’s Office said, “This is a general use policy, but what is required of the general use policy is specific to each technology,” and “It’s trying to address multiple technologies that have varying purposes.”

In 2019, Somerville became the first city on the east coast to ban the use of government recognition surveillance technology in partnership with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).

The Committee also reviewed a home rule petition authorizing the appointment of special firefighters and discussed the status of part-time employees hired as part of the proposed Police Department Cadet Program, and the role of the City Council in confirming nominees for the participation.

The Legislative Matters Committee meets again on on February 6 at 6:00 p.m. on the second floor of City Hall.