The Lawrence Police Department will soon host an event to talk to residents about Connect Lawrence, a controversial camera surveillance program the department rolled out in July without community input.
The program is run by tech company Axon Fusus. Residents and businesses can volunteer to register their security cameras and contact information with the police department, allowing police to see where cameras are located and request footage if a crime occurs nearby.
According to the program’s website, camera locations and footage will also be used by the fire department.
“It’s about helping our officers respond smarter, more efficiently, and helping the community feel more secure,” Lawrence police Chief Rich Lockhart said in a news release.
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Experts and dozens of community members have spoken out against the surveillance program since its sudden implementation, calling it dystopian and a threat to privacy. The Lawrence Transparency Project organized in opposition to the police department’s adoption of the Axon Fusus program. To date, the group’s petition against the rollout has garnered 469 signatures.
In response, city commissioners in September directed Lockhart to work with community members to implement safeguards around the program.
The Lawrence Transparency Project released a draft ordinance in December proposing more public oversight and safeguards around the camera integration technology.
LPD’s meet and greet event will give community members an opportunity to provide input on the department’s internal draft policy and talk with law enforcement one-on-one about the program.
The event will run from 6 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 29 in the Lawrence Public Library auditorium, 707 Vermont St.
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Nathan Kramer / Lawrence TimesLawrence police to host public meeting for controversial camera surveillance policy
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