ROCKFORD — City Council members have decided to expand Rockford’s network of automated license-plate readers and surveillance cameras amid increased scrutiny over how the data is protected and shared.
Aldermen voted 13-1 to approve a roughly $444,000 four-year contract with Atlanta-based Flock Safety, which the city has contracted with for approximately three years. Alderwoman Gina Meeks, who expressed several concerns over the protection of data and its potential misuse, was the lone no vote. The vote came after nearly an hour and 45 minutes of discussion in the more than four-hour meeting, which saw several audience members escorted out by police after interrupting aldermen to push back against the cameras.
Before the vote, Alderman Tamir Bell had made a motion to delay a decision to allow more time for public feedback. His recommendation was to bring the issue before the 11-member Community Relations Commission. The commission could hear from the public before producing a recommendation to the council that took into account the community’s response, he said. That commission has previously looked at issues such as police use of force, body-worn cameras, and mental health issues…