NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — A bill that would allow the Metro Nashville Police Department to access a community camera safety network passed its second of three readings at Tuesday’s Metro Council meeting, but not without some amendments.
The bill has been a source of debate and a hot-button topic during public comment periods at during previous Metro Council meetings. Previously, Metro Council narrowly voted down a measure that would have established a contract between the Metro Nashville Police Department and Fusus.
In all, four amendments were made to the legislation. One amendment said that any officer requesting access to a camera in the community safety camera network has to create a document with the time, date and each instance of access as well as an explanation of why the camera was accessed. Additionally, an independent firm would have to audit the records created by officers when they access the video.
An amendment also stipulates that the community camera safety network could not utilize artificial intelligence or machine learning “or any other artificial mechanism to
capture conversations through automated lip reading.”
Other amendments restricted the MNPD’s ability to access certain cameras, including one that prohibits the taking of “live video from a donor camera” if that camera is on exclusively residential property. Additionally, the MNPD would no longer be able to have access to donor cameras at multifamily residential properties that focus on any area other than a parking lot, parking garage or other outdoor common area.
Finally, Metro Council approved an amendment stating that video depicting any MNPD employee “utilizing excessive or unlawful force” must be immediately preserved and provided to the MNPD’s office of professional accountability and the district attorney general.
The bill has to pass the third of three readings to take effect.
