Surveillance Technology Working Group

Requesting Department: Syracuse Police Department

Comment Period: 01/30/2025 - 02/13/2025 (Open)

Technology Companies: To Be Determined

“Drones as a First Response Program” is being considered in order to reduce response times, improve the quality of life, and provide situational awareness for officers. 

The proposed technology would give the Police Department “eyes on a scene” more quickly, assessing situations and providing vital information before officers arrive. The Department intends to deploy the uncrewed aerial system (UAS) in the Drone as a First Responder program only in response to a 911 call and incidents reported by officers in the field.  The types of calls eligible for UAS response include shots fired, search and rescue situations, burglaries, and high priority calls. 

The Department does not intend to use the Drone as a First Responder program as a proactive tool, scanning the city for criminal activity. SPD believes the use of the drone will result in faster response times, a smarter user of resources and enhanced community safety.

To submit a comment, residents can visit https://goto.syr.gov/stwg202501

Requesting Department: Department of Public Works

Comment Period: 01/04/2024 - 01/17/2024 (Closed)

Technology Companies: To Be Determined

The Syracuse Department of Public Works is considering the use of Automated Speed and Redlight Enforcement technologies.  The cameras would document when people drive past school buses in the City of Syracuse when their stop sign arm is extended.  It would also document when cars drive through stop signs in school zones.

Automated-Speed-Redlight-Enforcement-Technologies-Public-Comment-All-Received-1.xlsx(XLSX, 38KB)

STWG-ST24-01-Recommendation-Automated-Speed-Redlight-Enforcement-Tech-signed.pdf(PDF, 379KB)

DPW-Automated-Speed-Redlight-Enforcement-Mayoral-Qualified-Approval.pdf(PDF, 2MB)

Requesting Department: Code Enforcement

Comment Period: May 11, 2023 - May 29, 2023

Technology Companies: Various

The Syracuse Code Enforcement Department is considering the use of body worn cameras for their Codes Inspectors.  These cameras would be used document the conditions of the homes that they enter, as evidence for inspections, and to assist with keeping inspectors safe while in the field.

This footage would be collected only for use of Code Enforcement officers as official government agents.  If this technology is approved, the Code Enforcement department will develop a policy to govern their use, similar to the existing Syracuse Police Department Body Worn Camera policy.  Each Code Enforcement officer would be trained on this policy before receiving their camera.

View Public Comments on Codes Body Worn Camera Technology(XLSX, 46KB)

STWG Body Worn Camera for Code Enforcement Recommendation(PDF, 298KB)

Codes-BWC-Mayor-Qualified-Approval.pdf(PDF, 360KB)

Requesting Department: Syracuse Police Department (SPD) 

Comment Period: March 10, 2022 - March 24, 2023 (Comment period has closed)

Technology Companies: various

The Syracuse Police Department is seeking community input on proposed surveillance technology. The Syracuse Police are considering the use of street cameras (ALPRs) that will capture still images of license plates to aid with investigations and the apprehension of suspects after criminal activity has occurred.

The street cameras to be installed will not identify drivers, but will collect data continuously, capturing images and data every second. The City is reviewing technology from seven companies that specialize in hardware and software safety solutions. Once a company is approved, the Syracuse Police Department (SPD) will be responsible for the compliance of data storage and destruction as set by New York State Law. There are 26 proposed locations, identified by SPD Criminal Investigations Division Detectives and Criminal Observation and Protection System (COPS) Camera monitors.

View Answers to Frequently Asked Questions about the ALPR Technology(PDF, 149KB)

View Public Comments on ALPR Technology(XLSX, 45KB)

STWG ALPR Recommendation(PDF, 275KB)

STWG Dissent Opinion(PDF, 66KB)

ALPR Mayoral Qualified Approval(PDF, 418KB)

Requesting Department: Syracuse Department of Public Works (DPW)

Comment Period: April 6, 2022 - April 20, 2022

Technology Companies: Cyclomedia 

The Syracuse Department of Public Works (DPW) is considering the use of an assessment of city streets.  This Right of Way (ROW) imaging, somewhat similar to Google street view, provides accurate information without distortion and has accuracy/measurable data points for items in/viewable from ROW like signage, etc.

Requesting Department: Syracuse Police Department

Comment Period: December 6 - December 20, 2021

Technology Companies: Flock Safety and IK Systems 

The Syracuse Police Department is considering the use of street cameras that will capture still images of license plates to aid with investigations and the apprehension of suspects after criminal activity has occurred. 

The street cameras to be installed will not identify specific drivers but will collect data continuously, capturing images and data every second. The City is reviewing technology from two companies that specialize in hardware and software safety solutions—Flock Safety and IK Systems Inc.  Once a company is approved, the Syracuse Police Department will be responsible for the compliance of data storage and destruction as set by New York State Law.

License-Plate-Reader-Technology-Summary.pdf(PDF, 70KB)
Public-Comments-for-License-Plate-Street-Cameras.xlsx(XLSX, 20KB)
STWG-ALPR-Final-Recommendation-1.pdf(PDF, 932KB)

Requesting Department: Public Works, Division of Fleet Management

Comment Period: December 6 - December 20, 2021

Technology Companies: Samsara 

STWG-ST22-001-Fleet-Monitoring-Recommendations.pdf(PDF, 245KB)

Requesting Department: Syracuse Fire Department and Syracuse Police Department

Comment Period: July 13 - July 27, 2021 (Closed)

Technology Companies: Fotokite

Tethered devices launch to give public safety responders situational awareness on major incidents like fatal crashes, train derailments, endangered missing persons, mass shootings, or barricaded individuals. They can also provide public safety awareness at large public gatherings or events. The devices, manufactured by Fotokite, only go up and down and have no horizontal capabilities. 

Surveillance-Tech-Form-Fotokite-Responses-Aug.-2021.xlsx(XLSX, 14KB)
Fotokite-Final-Recommendation.pdf(PDF, 186KB)

Requesting Department: Pilot Partnership with New York Power Authority

Comment Period: July 13 - July 27, 2021 (Closed)

Technology Companies: undetermined

Monitoring uses cameras and sensors mounted on street lights or utility poles to monitor City-owned vacant lots where illegal dumping is a recurring problem. The pilot program is part of the City of Syracuse Smart City initiative in partnership with the New York Power Authority. It is being reviewed by the advisory group because equipment could capture images of people or vehicles which pass within the camera’s field of view.

• Comparative analytics use images over time to identify changes at the site.  Notifications will be sent if there are changes indicating illegal dumping.
• Department of Public Works staff will have access to review photos after an illegal dumping notification.
• Proposed for use at five initial sites; the program could be expanded, if effective.

Surveilance-Tech-Form-Vacant-Lot-Responses.xlsx(XLSX, 15KB)
*Final Recommendations not issued yet.  The Surv. Tech Working Group is waiting on information from the requesting department.