Little Rock's Surveillance Tech: A Step Back for Public Awareness

The Little Rock Board of Directors recently rejected a proposal aimed at increasing transparency about the police department's use of surveillance tools. This decision has sparked discussions about transparency and community trust.

The Rejected Ordinance

The ordinance, backed by At-Large Director Antwan Phillips, would have:

• Required the police to share annual reports on their surveillance activities.
• Mandated that big tech contracts be discussed individually, not grouped together.

Growing Concerns

Concerns about surveillance tech—such as cameras and license plate readers—have been growing. People worry about how their data is being collected and used.

In April, the board approved a ShotSpotter contract despite public outcry.

Police Chief's Response

LRPD Chief Heath Helton argued that:

• The department already does most of what the ordinance asked for.
• Adding more reports would slow things down.
• The department is working on a transparency portal with Flock Safety (the company behind license plate readers).

Critics' Concerns

Critics point out that:

• The technology scans every car, not just those linked to crimes.
• The Electronic Frontier Foundation found that the Little Rock Police Department had searched data related to peaceful protests.

Board Members' Reactions

• Ward 7 Director B. J. Wyrick dismissed public concerns as misunderstandings fueled by the internet.
• Directors Virgil Miller and Andrea Lewis questioned why the police chief was against the ordinance if he supports transparency.

The Vote

• The vote was close, with only three directors voting in favor.
• The split also highlighted racial lines, with all Black directors voting for it and all white directors voting against it.