SPRINGFIELD – Police and educators agreed they must provide more information about the controversial school camera policy after students said they were concerned it will lead to officers they do not trust watching their every move.
The School Committee is reviewing a long-debated 2021 pact that gives police access to live feed from cameras inside schools in an emergency. Opponents argue it affords law enforcement broad powers to conduct remote surveillance of students while proponents say it can save lives and prevent chaos.
The committee held a listening session Thursday that drew at least 30 people, many of them student members of the Pioneer Valley Project. A second session is scheduled for 5:30 p.m., Dec. 12, at Brightwood/Lincoln School on Plainfield Street. School Committee Member LaTonia Monroe Naylor said the board may hold a third in January if members feel it is needed.
