The privacy and government overreach that controlled the conversation in Knoxville on Tuesday ruled the conversation as city council approved a $27.6 million expansion in its police surveillance agreement. The vote comes just a month after Nashville rejected a similar proposal, reflecting the growing debate in Tennessee, which balances public safety and civil liberties.

The agreement will expand the partnership between Knoxville Police Department and Axon Enterprises over the next decade.. Axon currently supplies body cameras and taser equipment to KPD.

The council approved the contract after more than an hour of discussion among members, police reform advocates, and citizens who expressed concern. The impact of increased surveillance on Knoxville.

Tensions rose during the meeting and several community members were removed by law enforcement after expressing dissatisfaction with the city administration.

Councillor Amelia Parker, one of two votes, argued that surveillance of certain neighborhoods could negatively affect black members of the community. She also cited the historic and inherent disparities between Knoxville police and the black community, raising awareness of distrust that many community members are opposed to law enforcement.

Parker said he received several complaints about Knoxville Police’s surveillance tactics. This makes people feel that “they are already being closely monitored for their entry and exit in their neighborhood.”

“[It’s] Absolutely a violation of people’s civil liberties,” Parker said. “This type of police could never be punished, and this is our moment as a city that acknowledges the concerns of our community.”

Rashad Woods, a community member who leads the city’s violence suspension efforts, has acknowledged the need to update the city’s technology, but believes that expanding surveillance could have greater significance.

“What we’ve begun to move in the present may have a real impact in the future. I don’t think anyone who voted for that resolution has thought about it. Part of our community There is no way to get out of a situation where it exists. The question is, are you trying to solve the problem or criminalize people? ” he said.

The new proposals include expanding contracts to incorporate records management systems, services that support Knoxville Police’s new real-time information centre, additional citywide cameras and adoption of Axon’s Fusus software.

Fusus integrates a variety of data sources, allowing center executives to stream video surveillance, respond more efficiently to incidents, and share real-time updates with other first responders. During contract negotiations, the city recognized the possibility that axonal technology could enhance the operation of the center and decided to include these upgrades in the proposed contract.

“Ultimately, this agreement will allow our technology to keep up with modern policing, improve transparency and accountability, respond quickly to emergencies and resolve crimes faster,” Knoxville said. Mayor India Kinkanon said. “We’ve seen how it works elsewhere. I think the people in Knoxville deserve a similar level of public safety.”

The debate over approved contracts, centered around Axon’s Fusus software and the real-time monitoring center, accounting for less than 5% of the contract’s costs.

The Knoxville Public Safety Facility Surveillance Centre allows staff to access public and private camera feeds to assist with investigations and monitor emergencies. However, Knoxville Police Chief Paul Noel noted that 95% of the center’s work involves reviews of footage from past incidents.

Noel highlighted a decline in murders across the city and praised the use of surveillance in solving crimes. He also argued that the new expansion would increase transparency and accountability, highlighting that the department is implementing strict policies to prevent biased policing supported by the establishment of a professional standards office. .

He praised community policing jobs in certain areas for reducing crime, but Parker cited the work of grassroots organizations also contributing to the decline.

“We have been intentional community outreach and engaged in communities labeled as hot zones,” Noel said. “Some people talked about excessive polyclinics, but what you saw in the area, arrests and halts also fell sharply, which is what officers go outside and build relationships with the community. Because it’s doing it.”

The city council will be holding councillors Gwen McKenzie, Lauren Ryder, Andrew Robert, Charles Thomas, Debbie Healthley, Lynn Fgate, vice mayor Tommy Smith, and Sheema Singh and Parker. Along with Gwen Mackenzie, Lauren Ryder, Lauren Ryder, Lauren Ryder, Lauren Ryder, Lauren Ryder, Len Thomas, Debbie Healthley and the vice mayor, he approved the police contract by 7-2 votes.