Kalamazoo passes robust surveillance contract policy mandating all related items must come to commission

Kalamazoo City Commissioners passed a policy change that will bring all Flock and related surveillance contracts directly to commissioners for consideration, regardless of the price of the contract. 

Around 10 p.m., on Monday, September 21, commissioners voted 5-2 in favor of language that will make that policy more comprehensive than initially recommended. City Attorney Aaron Leal presented commissioners with four options — A, B, C, and D — each containing more detail than the last. Commissioners selected option C, which includes all surveillance technology:

This was the commission’s second time considering this policy as it was on the agenda for its last meeting on Tuesday, September 8. During that meeting, Vice Mayor Drew Duncan expressed concern that the policy did not consider other surveillance technologies besides Flock, and Commissioner Slaby expressed her desire for the policy to include all departments, not just the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety. Option C addresses both of their concerns.

One resident expressed frustration with the item being tabled for another two weeks, and said if commissioners didn’t approve it tonight, they should expect a long meeting in October.  

“Let’s stop wasting everybody’s time and pass the flocking amendment,” a resident said after expressing his disappointment in the commission for delaying the policy. 

Commissioner discussion

Commissioners’ discussion of the topic grew contentious after beginning on a celebratory note.

“Perhaps for the first time in Kalamazoo history we have managed to find an issue where members of the DSA and our chief of public safety are advocating for the same option. I appreciate the unusual moment of consensus,” Commissioner Slaby said at the start of discussion, referring to the Democratic Socialists of America.

Commissioner Chris Praedel, however, expressed frustration with the agenda item and accused commissioners of creating “manufactured urgency” around the issue, adding he believes this has happened multiple times and has grown increasingly frustrated with the process.

Commissioner Stephanie Hoffman echoed Praedel’s concerns, adding she was a victim of gun violence last year, and that made her feel differently about surveillance. 

The policy does not block any contracts from being signed or considered. Instead, it requires that they be brought to the city commission for consideration. 

As discussion continued, Duncan responded to Praedel’s concerns, disagreeing with Praedel’s claim that urgency is manufactured. 

“We got here because 200, 300 people came into their city hall and told us they are uncomfortable with the surveillance technology that is being used,” Duncan said, referencing residents who have spoken against Flock surveillance at previous meetings. “I won’t apologize for asking people to work, I won’t apologize for bringing amendments to the floor, and I won’t apologize for being urgent to a public that we answer to. So I call to end the discussion.” 

This led to the 5-2 vote. Commissioners Jae Slaby, Jeanie Hess, Alonzo Wilson, Vice Mayor Duncan, and Mayor David Anderson voted in favor. Commissioners Chris Praedel and Stephanie Hoffman voted against. 

From now on, any contracts, amendments, renewals, and terminations regarding surveillance technologies in Kalamazoo must come before the city commission for consideration, regardless of their financial impact.

Maxwell Knauer is a staff writer for Watershed Voice.