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DESCRIPTION:A conversation with:\nADAM SCHWARTZ\nSenior Staff Attorney, Electronic 
 Frontier Foundation\n\nCORY WOLBACH\nPalo Alto City Councilmember 
 (Pre-recorded Interview)\n\nIn San Jose, the police department caused a 
 public outcry last year for buying a drone without notifying the 
 public\n\nThe use of surveillance technology is not limited to the Federal 
 government. At an ever-increasing rate, local and county police agencies 
 are purchasing and putting into use advanced systems to intercept cell 
 phone calls, track license plates, and photograph just about anything that 
 moves. In far too many cases, the technologies are purchased without review 
 — sometimes without even the knowledge — of governing civilian boards 
 like city councils. As the Palo Alto weekly pointed out,\n\nTo date, Bay 
 Area law-enforcement agencies have generally taken a 
 better-to-ask-for-forgiveness-than-permission approach to their 
 surveillance purchases. In San Jose, the police department caused a public 
 outcry last year for buying a drone without notifying the public.\n\nBut 
 all of that might change as a result of grassroots efforts to bring some 
 real democratic oversight and review to any purchase and use of such 
 technologies by local agencies.\n\nIn June of this year, the Santa Clara 
 County Board of Supervisors passed what has been called a “landmark” 
 ordinance that would restrict future technology purchases by County law 
 enforcement. It would also require public hearings — a critically 
 important element — before any such purchases are made. The ordinance 
 further requires that detailed policies regarding the uses of the 
 technology and data security and retention policies be clearly spelled out 
 before a purchase. Finally, since the ordinance does not refer specifically 
 to any particular current technology, it is considered to be “future 
 safe”, meaning as new technologies arise, the ordinance will still 
 apply.\n\nNow a similar ordinance has been introduced in Palo Alto by City 
 Councilmember Cory Wolbach. Since the County’s ordinance does not apply 
 to local police departments, it will be essential for each city to adopt 
 its own laws. PPJC director Paul George spoke in favor of Wolbach’s draft 
 ordinance when it was introduced and PPJC will be working to see similar 
 legislation introduced in surrounding communities.\n\nFor this month’s 
 edition of Other Voices Monthly Forum we’ll learn what technologies are 
 being used by local police agencies and what the civil liberties concerns 
 are with each. We’ll also explore the best ways to pass restrictions in 
 Palo Alto and other local cities.\n\nYou are an important part of every 
 program! The forum really is a conversation and that includes you. So come 
 prepared to ask questions or share your opinions.\n\nOther Voices Monthly 
 Forum is held at the Midpen Media Center, where it is recorded for later 
 broadcast on local cable television and streaming on the Internet. Previous 
 forums (and other videos) can be seen at our YouTube Channel or the Video 
 Page at our website.\n 
 https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2016/08/10/18790016.php
SUMMARY:Other Voices: Surveillance is a Local Issue
LOCATION:Midpen Media Center, 900 San Antonio Road, Palo Alto, CA 94303
URL:https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2016/08/10/18790016.php
DTSTART:20160907T020000Z
DTEND:20160907T030000Z
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