Скачать или смотреть Councilmember warns tensions are driving safety decisions in Nashville

Metro Council rejected a proposal to fund downtown safety cameras tied to a $15 million state grant, a decision that sparked strong reactions inside the council chambers and renewed debate over how Nashville defines public safety.

The proposal, connected to funding from the Nashville Downtown Partnership, would have paid for 15 cameras — many of them replacements for existing cameras at downtown intersections.

Council voted 20 to 15, with three abstentions, to reject the camera funding. Some people in attendance cheered when the vote failed.

Supporters of the cameras argued they are a basic investigative tool, while opponents raised concerns about surveillance and broader national trends involving government oversight.

Councilmember Jacob Kupin, who represents downtown Nashville, said fears driven by national and state-level politics influenced the outcome of the vote.

Kupin argued the cameras were not advanced surveillance tools, license plate readers, or tracking technology — but standard video cameras meant to help investigators understand what happened after crimes occur.

He also pointed out that Metro Council has approved similar state-funded safety grants in the past, suggesting the opposition to this proposal was more thematic than specific to the cameras themselves.

Despite the failed camera vote, Metro Council did approve three other donations connected to the same state grant.

Those approved items include funding for an armored rescue vehicle, a mobile command post, and a tactical support post. All passed by narrow margins.

Kupin expressed concern that many downtown residents who support the cameras do not feel comfortable speaking publicly at council meetings, citing instances of heckling and crowd reactions.

Council leaders say conversations about public safety, surveillance, and community trust are expected to continue as Nashville decides how best to balance crime prevention, investigation, and public concerns.

https://fox17.com/news/local/councilm...
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