On Tuesday night, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office held its first town hall meeting to discuss officers wearing body cameras.
Dozens gathered at Edward Waters College to learn more about how the cameras will work and ask questions.
Body cameras have been a topic of debate throughout the community.
As a part of a pilot program, JSO is expected to outfit 300 officers with body cameras in the coming months.
#JSO Town Hall on #bodycameras getting me ready to start #actionnewsjax pic.twitter.com/3ywW8kmcOI
— Michael Yoshida (@Michael7News) March 7, 2017
Many people in the audience had questions about transparency.
Some said they wanted the public and other organizations to be a part of shaping policy when it comes to how the cameras are used and who can see what they record.
“Are they going to follow some of the policies and recommendations of the Department of Justice?” one person asked.
“Let's talk. Let's negotiate. Let's come up with an agreement on body cam policies,” another citizen said.
#JSO says policy has not been set. They've looked at 70 different agencies as part of their research #actionnewsjax
— Michael Yoshida (@Michael7News) March 7, 2017
There will be five more town hall meetings for the public:
Tuesday, March 14, 2017 – FSCJ North Campus, 4501 Capper Road
Zeke Bryant Auditorium 6:30 pm- 8:30 pm
Tuesday, April 11, FSCJ South Campus, 11901 Beach Blvd.
Wilson Center – Lakeside Room 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Monday, April 24, 2017, FSCJ Kent Campus, 3939 Roosevelt Blvd.
Large Auditorium F128 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Thursday, May 11, 2017, FSCJ Downtown Campus, 101 W. State St.
Large Auditorium A106B 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Thursday, May 18, 2017, FSCJ Deerwood Campus, 9911 Old Baymeadows Rd.
Room B1204 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
#JSO says pilot program will last 90 days and could start late May/early June #actionnewsjax
— Michael Yoshida (@Michael7News) March 7, 2017
JSO said the public meetings are part of a commitment by Sheriff Mike Williams to inform as many citizens as possible about the research that JSO has done on body cameras and to provide an opportunity for questions and comments.
Each event includes a brief informational presentation by Director of Police Services Tony Davis followed by a public comment session.
JSO said anyone interested in speaking during the public comment session is asked to arrive in time to register prior to the meeting’s start time.
#JSO estimates cost could be 3 to 5 million dollars. Data storage is the expensive part along with personnel to redact video #actionnewsjax
— Michael Yoshida (@Michael7News) March 7, 2017
Question and answer continues regarding #JSO body camera program #actionnewsjax pic.twitter.com/Fd6nCECdkS
— Michael Yoshida (@Michael7News) March 8, 2017
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