Rochester, N.Y. — Rochester’s Police Accountability Board presented a new report on Thursday examining how policing technology is being used around the city.
The Policing and Community Surveillance report assesses the department’s use of body-worn cameras, blue-light cameras, drones, and other technologies.
In the report, the PAB claims the people of Rochester are three times more likely to be surveilled if they live in a predominantly black or Hispanic area than in a predominantly white area.
The report also claims there is no apparent connection between camera placement and recent crime data from 2023 to 2025.
“We are over-surveilled, which has led to over policing, over mass incarceration, over punishment, and our communities are in crisis,” said Kim Smith of Vocal-NY.
To enhance public trust, the PAB says it recommends that Rochester police begin conducting privacy impact assessments for its surveillance technology, detailing how a person’s privacy may be affected by the systems.
The PAB also says it’s seeking community feedback on the report before sending a final version to the Rochester Police Department, city council, and the mayor.
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