The contractor was selected without a public bidding process.
The ordinance that was ultimately passed wasn't as ambitious as the original, but advocates say it's a good start.
The emails show that the NOPD and Louisiana State Police have had a formal relationship since at least 2018 that provides the NOPD access facial recognition software.
Explaining its previous denials, the department said that it doesn’t employ its own facial recognition software. Instead, it accesses the technology through state and federal partners. An ACLU lawyer said that was a ‘distinction without a difference.’
Council official says there wasn’t enough time last week to finalize the ordinance as the city was dealing with several pressing issues including Hurricane Delta.
Extensive reporting and approval processes are being stripped from the ordinance after pushback by council members and Cantrell administration officials
Council members were supportive of broad aspects of the ordinance, but some remain unconvinced on certain restrictions.
A public defender sued last year after the city denied her request for surveillance camera location data.
Councilman Jason Williams said he was prompted to the delay the vote and create new regulations after meeting with the local community group Eye on Surveillance