LAWRENCE, KS - On Tuesday, September 9, Lawrence commissioners directed the chief of police to work with community members to implement safeguards with the use of advance surveillance camera integration and technology.
During the meeting, commissioners heard from 42 people about the Axon Fusus program, with 38 of them directly asking the commission to pause further integration of the cameras around the city, Lawrence Times reported. That discussion lasted more than four hours.
Dozens of residents have spoken out during public comment and in writing to the commission asking that the rollout of the surveillance program be paused so that the community can discuss its concerns.
Kincaid Dennett, an organizer with the Lawrence Transparency Project, told commissioners the group would like to see a pause on further integrating cameras and programs, and slowed implementation of artificial intelligence. He said they believe the cameras are useful tools to solve crimes, and that a registry of people's residential cameras could be efficient toward that goal.
"We're not trying to attack, or take away," they said. "We're trying to put in protections." During the meeting, Lawrence Police Sgt. Drew Fennelly told the commission that the camera integrations underway are cameras on and in city buildings. The new software has made it more efficient for the department to see videos from different sources at the same time.
Commissioner Amber Sellers said she doesn't see a concern with pausing "because it's about community." If a growing number of community members have concerns about the program and aren't comfortable with it, "that's dissonance," and the city isn't moving the needle the way it should be.
"What our community is saying is that we're here, and they're wanting to be heard," Sellers said. "And they want to know that their governing body, that their city hears them."
Commissioner Lisa Larsen said it seemed like this was a good point to reevaluate. "Let's reflect on what we've got, which is what we've been doing tonight and then see how, what's the proper way to move forward, and with input from the entire community," she said.
Commissioners then directed Lawrence Police Chief Rich Lockhart to form a work group with community members who were present and others who were interested to look at policy around the system, including access, security issues, the AI technology, whether ordinances need to be written and more, and to come back to the commission with recommendations.
Dozens of community members spoke to the commission that night, raising numerous points with many voicing concerns about data, privacy, potential for outside interference by state and federal agencies, and much more.
Faith Lopez said they work with a domestic violence shelter, which "operates under strict confidentiality policy that ensures a protected and empowering environment for survivors."
"While we maintain a working relationship with Lawrence Police Department, it is critical to acknowledge that any surveillance oversight, regardless of who is monitoring, introduces a potential for misuse, including stalking and unauthorized tracking," Lopez said. "There have been documented cases where survivors have fled abusive partners who were members of law enforcement."
During the meeting, commissioners heard from 42 people about the Axon Fusus program, with 38 of them directly asking the commission to pause further integration of the cameras around the city, Lawrence Times reported. That discussion lasted more than four hours.
Dozens of residents have spoken out during public comment and in writing to the commission asking that the rollout of the surveillance program be paused so that the community can discuss its concerns.
Kincaid Dennett, an organizer with the Lawrence Transparency Project, told commissioners the group would like to see a pause on further integrating cameras and programs, and slowed implementation of artificial intelligence. He said they believe the cameras are useful tools to solve crimes, and that a registry of people's residential cameras could be efficient toward that goal.
"We're not trying to attack, or take away," they said. "We're trying to put in protections." During the meeting, Lawrence Police Sgt. Drew Fennelly told the commission that the camera integrations underway are cameras on and in city buildings. The new software has made it more efficient for the department to see videos from different sources at the same time.
Commissioner Amber Sellers said she doesn't see a concern with pausing "because it's about community." If a growing number of community members have concerns about the program and aren't comfortable with it, "that's dissonance," and the city isn't moving the needle the way it should be.
"What our community is saying is that we're here, and they're wanting to be heard," Sellers said. "And they want to know that their governing body, that their city hears them."
Commissioner Lisa Larsen said it seemed like this was a good point to reevaluate. "Let's reflect on what we've got, which is what we've been doing tonight and then see how, what's the proper way to move forward, and with input from the entire community," she said.
Commissioners then directed Lawrence Police Chief Rich Lockhart to form a work group with community members who were present and others who were interested to look at policy around the system, including access, security issues, the AI technology, whether ordinances need to be written and more, and to come back to the commission with recommendations.
Dozens of community members spoke to the commission that night, raising numerous points with many voicing concerns about data, privacy, potential for outside interference by state and federal agencies, and much more.
Faith Lopez said they work with a domestic violence shelter, which "operates under strict confidentiality policy that ensures a protected and empowering environment for survivors."
"While we maintain a working relationship with Lawrence Police Department, it is critical to acknowledge that any surveillance oversight, regardless of who is monitoring, introduces a potential for misuse, including stalking and unauthorized tracking," Lopez said. "There have been documented cases where survivors have fled abusive partners who were members of law enforcement."
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Comments
2025-09-12T19:41-0400 | Comment by: James
If you are not a criminal you would not have a problem with this!