City Council
TL;DR
The Boston City Council's Public Safety and Criminal Justice Committee held a joint hearing to review the city's 2025 surveillance activities and consider updates to police surveillance policies. The committee examined the annual surveillance report required by city law, reviewed a revised policy for the Boston Police Department's use of social media analysis tools, and considered an ordinance amendment to the city's surveillance oversight rules.
Key Decisions
- 2025 Annual Surveillance Report Received and filed for review
- Revised Social Media Analysis Tools Policy Reviewed by committee
- Ordinance Amendment to Chapter XVI, Section 63 Heard in committee - final action pending
Agenda
- Public Safety and Criminal Justice, and Government Operations Joint Committee Hearing on Dockets #1708-1709 and #1796
- 2026-1708 Communication was received from the Mayor, pursuant to the Ordinance on Surveillance Oversight and Information Sharing, Boston City Code Section 16-63, transmitting the City of Boston's 2025 Annual Surveillance Report.Report of Public Officer
- 2026-1709 Communication was received from the Boston Police Department regarding a revised Surveillance Use Policy for the Department's use of "Social Media Analysis Tools."Report of Public Officer
- 2026-1796 Ordinance Amending City of Boston Code, Ordinances, Chapter XVI, Section 63, Ordinance on Surveillance Oversight and Information Sharing.Council Ordinance