The Troy City Council on Thursday unanimously passed a law creating new ground rules for the use of Flock Safety cameras in the city.
One of the provisions include a requirement that the city delete all data from the license plate reader (LPR) technology within 72 hours.
Approved by the council’s seven Democrats, the law also prevents the sharing of data outside of the city with a few exceptions, one of those being a court order. It requires an audit of every search over a three-year period.
Council members say the legislation is an effort to address privacy concerns and balance those with public safety. They say the local law will promote greater accountability and transparency.
Republican Mayor Carmella Mantello, Rensselaer County District Attorney Mary Pat Donnelly, a Democrat, and Police Chief Dan DeWolf came out against the proposal last month, saying it handcuffs officers from being able to investigate crimes.
On Friday, Mantello said she plans to veto the legislation and raised numerous concerns with it, including the retention period. She said the city needs LPRs for fighting “everything from homicide to domestic violence cases.”
The council needs five votes to override a mayoral veto.
Source: spectrumlocalnews.com
