POR 2026-122 · Agenda item attachment · Jun 8 2026

POR 2026-122 FIRST IN COUNCIL June 8, 2026 City of Cambridge COUNCILLOR FLAHERTY COUNCILLOR SIMMONS WHEREAS: On June 1, 2026, the City Council voted to disapprove further use of SoundThinking’s Acoustic Gunshot Detection Technology (“ShotSpotter”) pursuant to the Surveillance Technology Ordinance, Section 2.128.060; and WHEREAS: Section 2.128.060 sets forth clear and unambiguous procedures that the City Council must follow before voting to approve or disapprove the use of surveillance technology; and WHEREAS: The City Council did not follow the required procedures outlined in Section 2.128.060(c) before voting to disapprove ShotSpotter; and WHEREAS: Section 2.128.060(c) requires, as a condition precedent to any such vote, that the City Council examine the information contained in the Annual Surveillance Report; and WHEREAS: The City Council did not conduct such an examination; and WHEREAS: Section 2.128.060(c) further requires the City Council to determine, based on the Annual Surveillance Report, whether the benefits of continued use of the technology outweigh its financial and operational costs; and WHEREAS: The City Council did not make such a determination; and WHEREAS: Section 2.128.060(c) also requires the City Council to determine whether reasonable safeguards exist to address concerns regarding privacy, civil liberties, and civil rights; and WHEREAS: The City Council did not make such a determination; and WHEREAS: Section 2.128.060(c) provides that only after making these determinations may the City Council consider one of the following actions: 1. Recommend modifications to the Surveillance Use Policy to the City Manager; 2. Request a report from the City Manager on steps taken to address concerns; or 3. Disapprove further use of the technology; and WHEREAS: The City Council did not make the required threshold determinations and did not consider these options in the manner prescribed; and

WHEREAS: On May 11, 2026, the City Council adopted Policy Order 2026-98, which states that the Annual Report was reviewed by the Public Safety Committee rather than the full City Council, and identifies concerns about the technology but does not make the determinations required by Section 2.128.060(c); and WHEREAS: These actions are inconsistent with the requirements of the Surveillance Technology Ordinance; now therefore be it ORDERED: That the City Council shall comply with the procedures outlined in Section 2.128.060 of the Surveillance Technology Ordinance; and be it further ORDERED: That the June 1, 2026, vote to disapprove ShotSpotter be declared null and void; and be it further ORDERED: That the City Council shall complete the required review and determinations prescribed by Section 2.128.060(c) before taking any future vote regarding the continued use of ShotSpotter or any other surveillance technology. A true copy; ATTEST:- Paula M. Crane, Interim City Clerk

City of Cambridge That the City Council shall complete the required review and determinations prescribed by Section 2.128.060(c) before taking any future vote regarding the continued use of ShotSpotter or any other surveillance technology.