Residents are wary of the new technology’s potential for surveillance, but support boosting enforcement while reducing interaction with police.

A new report outlines the opinions expressed by Boston community members in a series of focus groups that sought to understand how Black residents view the city’s road safety and traffic enforcement policies. Writing in Streetsblog Massachusetts, Christian MilNeil outlines the report’s findings.
Researcher Lindiwe Rennert, the study’s author, “found widespread agreement that the current system is not working well, particularly in Black communities, which face higher crash risks both from police violence and from dangerous roads.” But residents also expressed concern over violent interactions with law enforcement.
“The big takeaway was, cameras don’t have guns.” According to Rennert, “While there are civil liberties concerns associated with camera-based enforcement, the concern is de-escalated from loss of life, to an abuse of information. Both are important, but the scale is unquestionably different.” But participants also said new technology could set up new methods of surveillance and perpetuate discriminatory systems.
Based on the focus groups, Rennert makes some suggestions to lawmakers to implement successful automated enforcement programs: ensure fine revenues are directed to street safety and public transit, establish external oversight, limit how much cameras can see, use trusted agencies, and “right-size the penalty” to prevent outsized punishment for minor infractions.
FULL STORY: ‘Cameras Don’t Have Guns’ – Boston’s Black Community Weighs In On Camera-Based Traffic Enforcement

Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss
The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25,% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.

North Texas Transit Leaders Tout Benefits of TOD for Growing Region
At a summit focused on transit-oriented development, policymakers discussed how North Texas’ expanded light rail system can serve as a tool for economic growth.

Using Old Oil and Gas Wells for Green Energy Storage
Penn State researchers have found that repurposing abandoned oil and gas wells for geothermal-assisted compressed-air energy storage can boost efficiency, reduce environmental risks, and support clean energy and job transitions.

San Mateo Formally Opposes Freeway Project
The city council will send a letter to Caltrans urging the agency to reconsider a plan to expand the 101 through the city of San Mateo.

A Bronx Community Fights to Have its Voice Heard
After organizing and giving input for decades, the community around the Kingsbridge Armory might actually see it redeveloped — and they want to continue to have a say in how it goes.

Houston Mayor Promises Dedicated Austin Street Bike Lane After Public Backlash
Although the one-way bike lane won’t be protected by physical barriers, the proposal is an improvement over the mayor’s initial plan to only include sharrows on the Austin Street project.
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