Springfield School Committee to vote on police camera access

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – The Springfield School Committee is set to vote Thursday evening on whether to approve a contract renewal with the Springfield Police Department that would give them access to school cameras.

The contract would allow the police department to access security cameras internally and externally in all public schools in the city.

While police access to school cameras has been touted as a way to eliminate threats to student safety, concerns about student privacy have also been raised. The police department insists that the cameras are not for keeping students under surveillance, rather if anything were to happen, camera footage would help aid in investigations and emergency situations.

Security footage played a large role in the investigation into the shooting incident at the High School of Science and Technology back in March. In that incident, a bullet was shot through a window during an altercation at the school. No one was injured by the gunfire. Three adults have been criminally charged in the incident.

Thursday’s meeting at Springfield City Hall will begin with an executive session at 5:30, with the regular meeting starting at 6:30 P.M. The meeting will be live streamed on YouTube and Focus Springfield.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP.