Alexandra ThornFor anyone concerned about municipal budgeting for surveillance technology and increased policing in the U.S., here's something to watch for: the new administration's Department of Homeland Security (FEMA and EOPSS) has been denying renewal of grants to local agencies. This shift is creating budget anxieties in local organizations reliant on federal grants.
The precariousness of federal funding for security and emergency response creates pressure for organizations---unsure of whether their current funding could be rescinded---to rapidly find things to do with the funds. And an obvious area for spending is the purchase of surveillance cameras and similar technology.
Here in #Massachusetts, the Metro Boston Homeland Security Region has over 1 million dollars to spend. It's not clear what #Boston area communities would receive the funds, but when they do, there will likely be City Council discussions about proposals to buy a bunch of new cameras. When that happens, it's important that we be ready to advocate for more pro-social uses of the funds.
marthews 🏴While surveillance cameras and other tools for policing are an obvious area for local spending, the scope of FEMA and EOPSS grants is broader than that, so in theory the same grants could be used for other emergency infrastructure such as ambulances.
Because we don't yet know which #Massachusetts communities are likely to receive these funds, there's no immediate action item. But it's something that will likely be coming up soon, so keep an ear out.
@athorn The funding requests will come to Boston or the towns and cities immediately neighboring Boston.