Remarks by Soheila Bana
172 remarks on the record, newest first · Page 3 of 7
Okay. Do I have a second for putting item 010 on the consent calendar? Apply for grant funding to acquire an armored rescue vehicle and a rapid rescue armored vehicle for the Richmond Police Department.
Okay. Item 011, identify potential venues for cultural education and practice by Richmond's minority cultural groups. I second that. Thank you.
I understand, but why don't you put it on consent calendar?
what is directing the city manager to come up with information, so just put it on the consent calendar. Okay, I can ask.
Mr. Mayor, can I ask the item 010 because it's related to the police to be moved after 01 while the police staff are here so they can go home afterwards?
Well, it's related to the police department, so can we have it after the items related to the police department? All the items related to police be followed by O10?
Mr. Mayor, while there is a break, can I just mention that this group are here in support of item 011, identify potential venues for cultural education and practice by Richmond's minority cultural groups.
Not quoted here: it may name a member of the public. Hear it at the meeting.
Thank you. Do you have any data on the number of like ring cameras in the city of Richmond by residents, HOAs, businesses?
Okay, my point is the data already exists out there, even if our police doesn't use it. Actually, I should tell you that our residents are educating me about these. I was totally pro cameras, but I received many questions, lots of information, and I'm grateful to all of them. Some of them are affiliated with nonprofits and told me a lot about them. The things I hear about ring networks, all the ring cameras being connected with each other, it's really scary. It's horrible. It's a lot worse than ALPR. And with the AI coming into the picture and with government, the current federal government…
how does it happen and how can we keep it from happening?
Excuse me, I want a specific answer. Okay, I understand the data can be accessed in unauthorized ways, it can be leaked, whatever. My question is, do we have the technology to block that all? Do we have the technology to have our own data and keep it safe and secure?
I'm sorry, you said the technology is there as possible, but the policy is not possible? I'm confused. You said there are three layers. Technology, use policy, implementation. And because of the complications between the, and interactions between the three layers, there is ambiguity. Can we clarify it? And as you said, the technology is there, we can do it. The policy, we can do it properly. And what's wrong with the implementation? Could you elaborate on that?
I hear you, but you say there is a human factor and there is flaw in it. If I tell you that medical malpractice is the third cause of death in America after heart disease and cancer with 371,000 deaths per year and 424,000 permanent disabilities and over 10,000 claims per year in America, would you say we shouldn't see a doctor?
Exactly. We haven't been able to do that yet. And I'm proud of our police department because when there was a flaw, it was our police chief, Tim Simmons, who came to us and said, hey, there is a flaw. We need to stop flaw cameras. And we did it. So we do have trust in our local law enforcement. That's something for the city of Richmond to be proud of. However, the technology, the way Axon is presenting to us or Flock presented to us does not work. I totally agree with you. And I've been in China, where if you leave your laptop, it won't be stolen, because at any point, there are at least 26…
I do. May I point of order? I have a limit of five minutes and I have a very important question. You said I don't have time. But the presenter has unlimited time and keeps repeating herself. Can we have a limit on that? I mean, we need concise answers. Thank you.
This presenter is not technical. She's an activist.
I move that we extend until 11. I second.
Until 11, I hope we can do this item and an additional item. Okay.
First of all, I wanted to thank the chief and also captain stonebreaker. You were great in answering the questions that my constituents brought up quickly, very comprehensively and I shared them with the larger community. So I really appreciate that. So I wanted to ask you, first of all, I think because we're supposed to have like 180 to 200 police officers and we have less than 150, I think we should provide the tools that you're asking for. But I don't believe in trust, trusting anyone, either, you know, Axon, any company, or how things are done. A couple of People have asked me that they…
Sure. In summary, I just want to mention that there's a sign over there that if you cannot protect it, don't collect it. I agree with that. And we want to make sure we can do that. How do we go about it? Sure.
I understand, but I'm not a data scientist. Neither are you. So I'm not sure how good that contract is. Having a couple of people from nonprofits who work in the field taking a look at it gives me peace of mind. Is that doable? I mean, it's negotiation. Can we have it? I mean, they don't have to approve it, but if they have suggestions to improve it, I'd like them to be incorporated.
Well, they need to see the contract to make suggestions.
Not a part of contract negotiations. can they see the contract to make suggestions for the improvement?
I understand, but is it classified information, that draft contract?