ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Asheville City Council on Tuesday, April 14, delayed action on a federally funded surveillance-related proposal, pulling the item from its consent agenda amid growing public concern and calls for more transparency.
The measure, listed as Item D, would have authorized the city manager to apply for and accept Community Project Funding secured through the office of U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards and administered by the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs. The funding is tied to the potential development of a real-time intelligence center and expanded use of surveillance technologies.
Council members voted to remove the item from consideration and instead send it to the council’s Policy and Finance Committee for further review. The committee is expected to take up the issue April 28, with the possibility of returning it to the full council in May.
City officials said the delay is intended to allow for deeper examination and public input.
“We’ve heard a lot of questions and concerns about this funding item,” Mayor Ester Manheimer said during the meeting. “We want to make sure we fully understand it and that the community has the opportunity to hear more information before any action is taken.”
The proposed initiative has drawn attention in recent weeks, particularly around the city’s existing use of surveillance tools and how additional systems could be integrated. Council members requested that staff provide more detailed information on current technologies — including license plate reader cameras — as well as long-term costs beyond the first year of funding.
Public comment during the meeting focused heavily on surveillance concerns, with several speakers urging the city to proceed cautiously or reject the funding altogether.
Residents raised issues including data privacy, transparency and the potential for expanded monitoring of vulnerable communities, particularly immigrants. Others questioned how data collected through surveillance systems could be shared with outside agencies and what safeguards would be in place.
Some speakers also cited reports of security vulnerabilities in similar systems and called for clearer policies governing access, data retention, and oversight.
In addition to privacy concerns, several commenters emphasized the need for broader community engagement before moving forward.
“We need a community conversation around what tools we use and how they’re used,” one resident told council members.
City officials acknowledged the concerns and indicated that additional information — including operational costs, current policies and potential future obligations tied to the funding — would be presented at the upcoming committee meeting.
The surveillance proposal comes as cities nationwide weigh the use of real-time intelligence centers and networked camera systems, often balancing public safety goals with civil liberties concerns.
No final decision has been made on whether Asheville will pursue the funding or implement the proposed surveillance expansion.ommunity nuisance.”