The package from vendor Axon would include drones that can respond to 911 calls, technology to access private home and business security cameras, license plate readers, and updated body cameras with live translation capability. The proposal emerged after Fitchburg ended its contract with Flock Safety over concerns that data was being shared with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Community members who attended the meeting said the process was being rushed. John Fournelle, a 34-year Fitchburg resident, said earlier hearing sessions were held but attendees did not know the topic was on the agenda. He said clearer advertising would have drawn more people.

“And so I and many others are concerned that it’s being voted on in a hurry,” Fournelle said, adding that the package’s apparent discounts did not address the core question of whether the technology is needed. “We’re not against having a safe community, but the question is, this really needed here in Fitchburg? And if it is, how do you make it the most secure, most safe for the community?”

Fournelle also said he worries increased surveillance creates fear in Fitchburg’s immigrant community. “There are apparently promises that it will be kept safe, but I mean, we have no objective way to verify that besides a promise,” he said. He and others plan to ask the council to pause the process, hold hearings, and bring in outside experts.

“Just the fact of saying trust us,” Fournelle said. “I would like to see an independent resource body expert explain, yes, this is 100% secure, but just the saying we will let nobody have access to it without our permission to me is not sufficient.”

Josh Jenkins, another Fitchburg resident, told council members he opposes the proposal and said the city should have a policy in place before signing a contract. “No, you need policy ahead of time,” Jenkins said.

Rita Henricks, a Fitchburg resident of more than 20 years, urged the council to approve the package. “We need to provide adequate equipment for our police. We need to be safe,” Henricks said. “When there is a murder in Fitchburg, we expect them to use every tool they can possibly use to solve that murder.”

After public comment, Fitchburg Deputy Chief Matt Lahey presented details on the technology and the department’s safeguards. “So tonight our presentation focuses not simply on what the technology can do, but more importantly, what we will allow it to do, who is accountable for its use, and how we protect the public’s trust,” Lahey said.

Police said data would not be shared outside the city, that automated license plate readers are used to read plates rather than identify drivers, and that the department’s immigration policy does not give immigration authorities access to its data. Lahey said Fitchburg had used license plate readers for more than 15 years but has not since the Flock contract ended.

In a separate meeting Tuesday night, the Dane County Public Protection & Judiciary Committee voted to deny a recommendation and contract that would have provided the Dane County Sheriff’s Office with an automated license plate reader system through Axon. Community members spoke both in person and online before a lengthy discussion.

Before the roll call, a committee official said a “yay” vote meant the recommendation would be to deny the resolution and contract. The motion passed. Supervisor Larson said they supported denial despite the safeguards the sheriff’s office had negotiated.

“We can craft the perfect contract with the best litigation-proof terms, but if we don’t have the public confidence and the actors on the other side of the contract, I can’t support having these in place,” Larson said.

Larson and the committee chair thanked the sheriff’s office for its work on safeguards. The chair said the committee received emails from across the county and that none directed to the committee or the chair were in favor of the contract. “Ultimately, it really comes down to me that I cannot support mass surveillance,” they said.

The decisions leave both Fitchburg and Dane County weighing how to balance public safety tools with civil liberties and community trust, as several southern Wisconsin communities have cut ties with Flock Safety while still seeking surveillance technology.