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DSA-LA
@dsa.la

The democratic socialist bloc of Los Angeles City Council led on two important votes during council meetings on Tuesday. Following the recent negative publicity around Flock surveillance cameras, LAPD has been seeking to begin a new $235 million contract with Flock competitor Axon.

DSA-LA
@dsa.la

Axon is known for its AI-powered platform that connects surveillance cameras, CCTV footage, and drones to create an invisible and unaccountable surveillance network. The LAPD was unable to explain how these cameras would be audited and how citizens data would be protected.

DSA-LA
@dsa.la

"Oversight and policy needs to be put first," said Soto-Martinez, "and then the vendor should be able to meet that - or we find another vendor."

DSA-LA
@dsa.la

At a Public Safety Committee meeting later in the afternoon, Soto-Martinez and Nithya Raman successfully held up a harmful proposal to massively expand 41.18, the city law that is used to criminally punish homeless people.

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DSA-LA
@dsa.la

Both issues will return for future votes but the added time will allow for more research and meaningful deliberation. DSA members on council continue to set the standard in seeking solutions to public safety that are non-carceral and rooted in ending racial injustice.