The City of Reno has formally notified its current partners, Flock Safety and BRINC/Motorola Solutions, that the existing contracts will not be renewed. In a statement released Friday, city officials explained the decision and outlined the next steps for public‑safety technology.
Why the change?
Reno Police Chief Corey Solferino emphasized that the city remains committed to using technology to protect residents and officers. “Our decision not to renew these agreements does not change our commitment to technology as an essential part of the future of public safety,” Solferino said. He added that any future tools must be used appropriately, securely, and for legitimate law‑enforcement purposes.
Next steps for the council
On October 21, city staff will present a proposal to the Reno City Council for a new contract with a different vendor. The proposal is intended to address concerns previously raised by council members and community stakeholders regarding privacy, data handling, and the overall effectiveness of the camera system.
Community and council concerns
During recent council meetings, residents expressed a mix of support for advanced safety tools and apprehension about surveillance overreach. Council members have asked for clearer policies on data retention, access controls, and oversight to ensure that any new system respects citizens’ privacy while still providing officers with the situational awareness they need.
What this means for public safety
While the Flock Safety cameras will be phased out, the city assures that officers will continue to have access to other tools and resources needed to perform their duties safely. The administration highlighted that the transition will be managed to avoid any gaps in coverage.
Looking ahead
Reno’s leadership plans to evaluate potential vendors based on criteria such as cost‑effectiveness, data security, and the ability to integrate with existing law‑enforcement platforms. The city hopes the new contract will deliver a system that both enhances public safety and aligns with community expectations for transparency and accountability.
Public input
Officials encouraged residents to stay engaged in the process, attend the council meeting on October 21, and submit comments through the city’s online portal. By involving the community, Reno aims to ensure that the chosen technology reflects the values of safety, privacy, and responsible governance.
Original reporting: 2news.com — read the source article.
