Auburn’s debate over police surveillance technology resurfaced Thursday, this time around the city’s recently approved Axon contract for body cameras, Tasers and digital evidence services.
Two residents used public comment to question whether council fully understood the artificial intelligence and data-management capabilities included in the roughly $1 million, five-year agreement before approving it unanimously a week earlier.
Katie Hoff told council her concerns extend beyond the physical body cameras and Tasers to the software and AI tools that accompany them.
She questioned whether city officials had adequately reviewed issues surrounding artificial intelligence, cloud-based storage, potential integrations with other camera systems and how police technology could affect privacy.
Jason Teeter raised similar questions, saying he reviewed software products listed in the agreement and wanted to know exactly which Axon capabilities Auburn purchased and which ones will actually be enabled.
Both speakers linked the issue to the months-long debate over Flock Safety license-plate reader cameras that preceded the city’s decision earlier this year to discontinue that system.
Their comments prompted a second discussion near the end of Thursday’s meeting.
Councilor Christina Calarco said it would be helpful to have Auburn Police Department officials explain the technology publicly, noting that capabilities advertised broadly by Axon may not necessarily be part of Auburn’s specific package.
City Manager Jenny Haines said she agreed police officials should return to answer technical questions.
Haines also provided council with additional background on Auburn’s relationship with Axon.
The city first authorized its body-worn camera program in 2021, eventually purchasing 60 body cameras and Taser devices using a combination of federal grant funding and American Rescue Plan Act money.
That five-year equipment lease runs through June 30, 2027. The recently approved deal renews and upgrades a system Auburn Police have already been using rather than creating an entirely new body-camera program.
Haines also read information provided to the city by Axon about its artificial intelligence functions.
According to that information, Axon told the city it doesn’t use or offer facial recognition within the system Auburn is considering. The company said some tools instead use attributes such as clothing descriptions, transcription of audio and computer vision to identify and redact objects such as screens, mobile devices and identification documents.
Axon also told the city that the police agency retains control over access to its evidence and that outside agencies cannot independently enter Auburn’s system.
Those explanations did not end the broader discussion.
Councilor Terry Cuddy noted that members of the public remain free to raise concerns even after council has taken a vote. Councilor Rhoda Overstreet-Wilson similarly said additional information could lead her to ask more questions without necessarily meaning she intends to reverse her original vote.
Councilor Craig Diego said he remained comfortable with his support for the contract and asked whether other members felt differently after hearing the new concerns.
Mayor Jimmy Giannettino said he remained comfortable with the vote but supported providing additional information.
The city is now expected to arrange a future presentation with police officials, and potentially Axon representatives, to explain more specifically what Auburn purchased, which AI features are included and how those tools will be used.
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