Alders and the Fitchburg Police Department had been discussing a switch to Axon since this summer, but the proposal drew sharp criticism from residents who said they were learning about the plan only now and felt it was being pushed through without adequate public input.

"A lot of people were feeling like this was really getting rushed through, and they were not actively considering the effects of equity," one resident told the council.

Others criticized what they described as a lack of meaningful community engagement. "True engagement means the city has actual effective channels and relationships with people who live in the neighborhoods that are most impacted by things like policing and mass surveillance," another resident said.

Several speakers urged council members to redirect resources toward housing, social services and mental health care, and raised concerns that data collected by the cameras could be accessed by outside agencies, including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

"Our residents need housing stability, access to social services, mental health resources, and meaningful community support," one resident said. "These aren't separate from public safety. Community services are part of what creates public safety."

The majority of speakers opposed the agenda item, though two residents spoke in favor, saying the cameras would make them feel safer.

The vote comes roughly six months after Fitchburg leaders voted unanimously to end the city's contract with Flock Safety amid privacy concerns. The council's decision on the Axon agreement means the city does not currently have a new license plate reader contract in place, though the issue could return to the agenda.