Himmelreich Discusses City of Syracuse’s Surveillance Tech Review Process in Central Current Article

December 16, 2024

Central Current

Johannes Himmelreich

Public Administration & International Affairs Department

Autonomous Systems Policy Institute

Campbell Public Affairs Institute

Autonomous Systems

New York State

State & Local

Central Current

Johannes Himmelreich

The City of Syracuse’s surveillance technology oversight group (STWG) will review new drone technology the Syracuse Police Department (SPD) planned to purchase. The city reversed its decision on the review after initially saying the group did not need to review the drones.

Johannes Himmelreich, assistant professor of public administration and international affairs and member of the surveillance technology oversight group, welcomes the city’s change.

“Citizens get a say, the working group researches how other cities use this technology, and that helps city leaders make better policy decisions as a result,” Himmelreich says. “This way we’re not walking into some unknown risk. The review should allow us as a community to see all the risks and benefits of this more clearly.”

Read more in the Central Current article, “City reverses decision, Syracuse police drones to be reviewed by oversight group.”

Himmelreich was also quoted in an earlier Central Current article, “Why Syracuse police, city officials plan to bypass surveillance tech review process to get ‘sci-fi-inspired’ drones,” that prompted the City of Syracuse to reverse its decision.

“From all I know, I expect that this tech will find its way to the STWG. Even if it’s not required, I think it’s a good thing to do,” Himmelreich says. “SPD has nothing to hide and only legitimacy to gain.”