Springfield community to discuss school camera agreement

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – People in Springfield will get a chance to learn about the agreement that allows the police department access to cameras in the city's public schools.

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The issue has been up for debate since September when the original contract was set to expire, but the school committee ultimately decided to extend the contract for another 120 days so they could hold a series of meetings to clear up any concerns. The first of those meetings is happening Thursday night.

The agreement allows civilians in the Springfield Police Department's Real-Time Crime Analysis Center live access to school surveillance cameras in the case of an emergency.

They can only see the live footage during something like an active shooter, fire, bomb threat, or other emergency. Now, the first community meeting is happening at the DeBerry/Swan School at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday.

Students, parents, and teachers will be able to ask questions about who gets to see the cameras and when, and hear about how the agreement helps keep the schools safe. The 120-day extension is set to end in January, that's when the Springfield School Committee will hold their final vote on the issue.

Thursday night's meeting will also be live-streamed on the district's website and Facebook page.

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