Officials say the camera technology can be
used for real-time alerts of power outages from
weather or crashes, remote adjustments of
traffic signal timing during events, closures and
crashes, and to enhance safety for pedestrians
and vehicles.
But Jeffrey Nolish, who lives in southwest
Detroit, said he’s skeptical and questions
whether the technology might eventually be
used differently.
“We might not be talking about facial
recognition today, but that doesn’t mean we
won’t broach that subject tomorrow, next week
or next year,” he said. Nolish added that “you
cannot go down these routes without having
firm frameworks of anti-racism, and we need
that and we need it now.”
Detroit’s city council must approve any future
changes to the traffic camera policy.
City policy limits the police department’s access
to traffic cameras. Police cannot use the footage
to determine immigration status, use audio
from the recordings or focus the cameras on
flyers, handbills or other materials distributed or
carried to protect First Amendment rights.