During a recent government meeting, officials discussed the implementation and oversight of a new reporting system designed to monitor the use of surveillance cameras. The system, which is expected to be accessible via an online portal, will track the number of \"hits\" each camera receives, categorizing them by incidents such as stolen vehicles or warrants.
Commander Harp is anticipated to serve as the audit administrator for this system. However, questions arose regarding the frequency and nature of audits, particularly concerning the identification of potential misuse. One official expressed a desire for proactive monitoring capabilities, similar to parental control apps that alert users to inappropriate content. They emphasized the importance of having a system that flags unusual patterns of searches, such as repeated inquiries about a specific vehicle, to prevent potential abuse by officers.
The discussion highlighted a lack of existing laws in Michigan governing the oversight of such systems, leading to reliance on best practices from organizations like the International Chiefs of Police. The officials proposed conducting audits every 30 days to ensure compliance with data destruction protocols.
Concerns were raised about the system's ability to provide actionable insights rather than just logging data. The need for an intuitive interface that alerts users to irregular activities was underscored, with comparisons made to existing technologies that utilize algorithms to detect anomalies in data usage.
Overall, the meeting underscored the importance of establishing robust monitoring and auditing mechanisms to ensure the responsible use of surveillance technology while addressing potential privacy concerns.