September 27 work session on Surveillance Technologies and impact assessments

About the work session

Portland’s City Council engaged in a work session on surveillance technologies and impact assessments. The session focused on the benefits of assessing the impacts and risks of technology.   

The City of Portland does not have a policy that guides City bureaus to use surveillance technologies. These guidelines can include how to minimize impacts and risks of technology.  Smart City PDX team and the Office of Equity and Human Rights are collaborating on the Surveillance technologies policy.  

This work session included how impact assessments requested already by bureaus. It looked at the benefits of identifying risks and social impacts of technology before using it. This knowledge can contribute to better transparency, accountability, and public trust.   

The Portland Bureau of Transportation and the Portland Police Bureau participated. Guest community members shared different perspectives on surveillance technologies and public involvement. 

You can watch the full work session recording here: City Council 2022 09-27 Work Session 

Video of the Portland City Council work session on Surveillance Technologies and impact assessments. September 27, 2022

Materials available for download

Smart City PDX slideshow presentation

Guest bureau speakers 

Assistant Chief Remi Reish sUAS assessment

Lauren Spear presentation

Guest community members

O’Nesha Cochram-dumas testimony 

Aje Amaechi testimony 

Chris Bushick testimony 

Links and how to connect 

Learn more about this surveillance technologies policy by visiting the project webpage: https://www.smartcitypdx.com/surveillance-policy

The draft policy is schedule to have its public hearing on November 30, 2022. You can also download the draft policy here < https://www.smartcitypdx.com/s/Draft-Resolution-to-establish-a-surveillance-technologies-policy-9-15-22.pdf
 

Send us your comments to smartcitypdx@portlandoregon.gov