Technology

Police used a series of drive-by shootings as a reason to secretly install a bunch of flock cameras without telling the city counsel or the public.

It is unclear if the Mayor knew about the deal.

City council found out from complaints, investigated, and paused funding for the cameras until they could talk to flock about security and public safety concerns.

Mayor decided to declare a state of emergency to override city counsel.

City counsel is now suing the Mayor.

The cameras are still being funded and still operational.

Sounds to me like more public officials need to be recalled via non confidence vote. Starting with this mayor.

this town

Troy, New York

Man, this article really reads as some tech dystopia / 1984 shit. It's full of bad faith arguments by those who approved and/or operate the flock cameras. Really scary stuff to see play out in reality.

This quote sums things up super well, highlighting the danger of what we are seeing at the national level flowing down into local governments:

The mayor has gone far beyond her lawful authority. If left unchallenged, it sets a dangerous precedent where the mayor can claim a public safety emergency any time she disagrees with the legislative branch, creating an unchecked power that echoes what is happening in Washington.

Article is paywalled.

Can I borrow someone's reciprocating saw? I need it for... reasons.