Dear Members of the Greenbelt City Council,

The Greenbelt Resistance Network (GRN) is an organization of Greenbelt residents concerned about the expansion of surveillance technologies and the growing risks they pose to civil liberties, privacy, and democratic accountability—particularly in the context of an increasingly authoritarian national political climate. We are writing to express serious concerns about the collection, storage, and potential sharing of data gathered through surveillance cameras operating in the City of Greenbelt.

During the recent Super Bowl, a commercial for Ring highlighted how the company can aggregate footage from an entire neighborhood and use artificial intelligence to locate a lost dog. The advertisement showcased Ring’s partnership with Flock Safety, demonstrating how privately collected surveillance footage stored in the cloud can be rapidly searched using AI tools. While framed as a positive outcome, this example raises serious concerns about privacy, data ownership, scope creep, and the normalization of mass surveillance.

Motivated by these concerns, GRN conducted independent research into the surveillance technologies being used by the City of Greenbelt. We found that on May 7, 2024, Police Chief Richard Bowers requested the implementation of License Plate Reading Cameras (LPRs). According to publicly available information, $174,498.70 was allocated for the purchase and installation of 14 Vakeda cameras through Alliance Technology Group.

Our research indicates that Vakeda cameras are capable of 24-hour surveillance, cloud-based data storage, and the use of artificial intelligence, including facial recognition capabilities. These features raise serious questions about how long data is retained, who has access to it, how it may be shared with third parties or other law-enforcement agencies, and whether it could be used for purposes beyond its original intent. We are also deeply concerned that while the memo referenced the need for License Plate Reading Cameras, the city ultimately purchased security cameras with capabilities that extend far beyond license plate recognition.

Given the well-documented risks of surveillance technologies—including their disproportionate impacts on immigrant communities, communities of color, political organizers, and other marginalized groups—we believe Greenbelt residents deserve transparency, accountability, and meaningful oversight.

We also want to state clearly that GRN does not support the city doing business with Flock Safety. Flock has been widely criticized by civil liberties organizations due to concerns that its technology enables data sharing with federal law-enforcement agencies, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). In a city that prides itself on protecting immigrant communities and civil rights, any relationship with companies whose products may facilitate immigration enforcement or surveillance-based harm is unacceptable.

We respectfully request that the City Council provide clear, written answers to the following questions:

·    What data is collected by these cameras, and what data is explicitly not collected?

·    How long is data retained, and where is it stored?

·    Who has access to the data, including city staff, law enforcement, vendors, or outside agencies?

·    Is data shared with federal agencies, including ICE or DHS, either directly or upon request?

·    Does the technology currently use—or allow for—the use of facial recognition now or in the future?

·    What safeguards are in place to prevent misuse, mission creep, or political targeting?

·    What opportunities exist for public input, oversight, or the ability for residents to opt out?

·    Is the City planning to expand its surveillance infrastructure by purchasing or deploying additional cameras—whether License Plate Reading Cameras (LPRs) or other security cameras with broader surveillance capabilities—and will the City commit to halting any expansion until there has been full public disclosure, meaningful community input, and City Council approval?

·    How many vehicles has the Greenbelt Police Department apprehended exclusively using Vakeda camera data? For each such apprehension, can the City provide anonymized information regarding: the demographic characteristics of the individual involved; whether a warrant existed prior to the stop; whether an arrest was made; and the specific offense alleged?

·    Does the Greenbelt Police Department require a warrant to track a specific vehicle using Vakeda or any other surveillance camera system? If not, what legal standard or policy governs this practice, and who authorizes such tracking?

·    Does the City Council believe this surveillance system has provided a meaningful return on the nearly $175,000 investment of public funds? What measurable outcomes—such as reductions in crime, increased public safety, or successful investigations—justify the cost and ongoing risks to residents’ privacy?

Greenbelt has a long history of progressive values, civic engagement, and respect for civil rights. We urge the City Council to uphold those values by rejecting unchecked surveillance expansion, refusing partnerships with companies tied to immigration enforcement, and committing to transparency, accountability, and the protection of residents’ privacy.

We appreciate your attention to this matter and look forward to your response.

Sincerely,
Greenbelt Resistance Network
Greenbelt, Maryland