UPDATE--A big decision from the Dayton city leaders at Wednesday night's City Commission meeting.
"I do not intend to move forward with bringing the Persistent Surveillance Systems contract before city commission for confirmation," Tim Riordan, Dayton City Manager.
The City Manager made a brief statement, saying it's because of confusion from the community on how it would be used.
This after last week's commission meeting where dozens stood outside city hall, protesting planes equipped with cameras, flying over the city.
"We need community engagement, we need protection of civil rights and privacy rights and I believe we need citizen oversight on a policy of this significance," Joel Pruce, lives in the City of Dayton.
Pruce was one of many against aerial surveillance, and is happy the city has stopped that possibility, at least for now.
"I don't think the conversation is going away as for technology," said Chief Richard Biehl, Dayton Police Department, "Whether it be this specific form of technology is uncertain at this point, but clearly camera technology is coming."
Chief Biehl was disappointed in tonight's decision.
He understands the community was concerned about their privacy rights, but says the system would not have violated them.
"Despite the description of the technology and the absence of clarity , in other words you can't identify the individual you cant identify a vehicle make model license plate, from the air it requires secondary verification," said Chief Biehl.
But for those who were against the cameras in the sky, they're are working with the city on a compromise.
"I believe that technology has valuable public safety considerations, but we just think that the proper thought and forethought has to be there before we dull out was is very significant extensions into surveillance technology," said Pruce.
While the proposal of aerial surveillance was brought down at this time, the city and police chief are looking for ideas to bring some sort of camera surveillance to Dayton.
No word on what or when that could be.
DAYTON -- Aerial surveillance for the City of Dayton is grounded.
At the commission meeting Wednesday night, City Manager Tim Riordin announced he is no longer going to pursue the surveillance due to confusion from the citizens.
At April 9th's commission meeting a group of Daytonians protested the aerial surveillance proposal outside City Hall.
We are waiting to speak to Dayton Police Chief Biehl o the what the city could look to in the future. Hear from him tonight.
"I do not intend to move forward with bringing the Persistent Surveillance Systems contract before city commission for confirmation," Tim Riordan, Dayton City Manager.
The City Manager made a brief statement, saying it's because of confusion from the community on how it would be used.
This after last week's commission meeting where dozens stood outside city hall, protesting planes equipped with cameras, flying over the city.
"We need community engagement, we need protection of civil rights and privacy rights and I believe we need citizen oversight on a policy of this significance," Joel Pruce, lives in the City of Dayton.
Pruce was one of many against aerial surveillance, and is happy the city has stopped that possibility, at least for now.
"I don't think the conversation is going away as for technology," said Chief Richard Biehl, Dayton Police Department, "Whether it be this specific form of technology is uncertain at this point, but clearly camera technology is coming."
Chief Biehl was disappointed in tonight's decision.
He understands the community was concerned about their privacy rights, but says the system would not have violated them.
"Despite the description of the technology and the absence of clarity , in other words you can't identify the individual you cant identify a vehicle make model license plate, from the air it requires secondary verification," said Chief Biehl.
But for those who were against the cameras in the sky, they're are working with the city on a compromise.
"I believe that technology has valuable public safety considerations, but we just think that the proper thought and forethought has to be there before we dull out was is very significant extensions into surveillance technology," said Pruce.
While the proposal of aerial surveillance was brought down at this time, the city and police chief are looking for ideas to bring some sort of camera surveillance to Dayton.
No word on what or when that could be.
DAYTON -- Aerial surveillance for the City of Dayton is grounded.
At the commission meeting Wednesday night, City Manager Tim Riordin announced he is no longer going to pursue the surveillance due to confusion from the citizens.
At April 9th's commission meeting a group of Daytonians protested the aerial surveillance proposal outside City Hall.
We are waiting to speak to Dayton Police Chief Biehl o the what the city could look to in the future. Hear from him tonight.
