Beyond the Cameras: AI, Police Access, and the BHPSNJ Referendum

Security Theatre in NJ is running rampant as Police Departments and Security firms are chewing into school budgets for highly questionable staffing decisions and technology.

That makes this exchange worth watching far beyond Berkeley Heights:

After our call with District leadership we reached out again asking whether…

…security upgrades included AI-enabled or AI-enhanced surveillance

…police would have access to school cameras

…any upgrades would be required (and what they would cost) for the new equipment.

In response, the District said Question #1 includes upgrades to the District’s camera system (primarily as a means of reducing blind spots)
and stated: “There is no current plan to include AI or facial recognition software as part of this project.”

The District also said the system has not yet been designed, and that the scope and budget were developed using “current technology and vendor pricing” with the Technology Department.

The District reported it was “technically feasible” for police to be granted access through secure web-based portals – if the District adopts or maintains a policy allowing it.

Additional upgrades included the master clock, communications, and PA systems, with total security and technology projects in Question #1 coming to about $1.6 million.

Residents and students concerned about privacy, civil liberties and protecting students from invasive and harmful security practices can maintain awareness by keeping the following in mind and asking the right questions…..

1. “No current plan” isn’t the same as “not allowed.” Will the Board approve a policy that prohibits facial recognition and limits any AI analytics (behavior detection, “loitering,”etc)?
   
2. Police access: under what conditions? Will the Board approve a policy that allows police access to any footage (live or recorded) only with Superintendent approval and that requires the Board and public to be notified that access was granted? A policy that treats the footage exactly as it is – a student record?
   
3. Retention, storage, and who can pull video. Updated policy indicating how long recordings will be stored, who has access to the system, guardrails on how clips are shared with a clear chain of custody under a framework that treats the footage similar to student records?
   
4. Specs. What vendor and platform are being considered? Will the options be made public and discussed by the Board publicly? Is it cloud-based or will the footage/data be stored locally? What cybersecurity requirements apply (multi-factor login, encryption, access controls, breach notification)?
   
5. Our security costs are EXPLODING.. While the capital cost is ~$1.6M, what is the five year total cost of the upgrades (subscriptions, licensing etc).
   
6. Protecting Students. Where will cameras be placed? Will there be audio recording (this should be explicitly addressed)? Are there “no camera” zones near sensitive student services (nurse, counseling, other protected spaces)?
   
7. Governance: who owns the policies, and when does the public see them? When will the Board vote on camera access, retention, and any police access policy? Will the District publish a plain-language summary explaining what’s recorded, who can access it, how long it’s kept, and how it’s used?
   
   Full Email Exchange