Body and dash cam for FPD

 

In the latest example of excessive force by a police officer during a traffic stop, body cam recordings show exactly what happened before, during and after a police officer in San Antonio opened the car door of a young man eating a hamburger and opened fire as the teenager drove away. The importance of body camera and dash camera recordings of interactions between cops and the general public cannot be understated. Body and dash cams will improve public safety, strengthen community-police relations, and enhance the values of transparency. Many cities have taken advantage of Gov Baker’s grant program to purchase the equipment. In January of this year Malden and 64 other communities received grants for body cams. And even the tiny town of E Bridgewater received grants, but not here in Framingham. The past administration passed on applying for the grants and so far, so has the new administration. It’s clear that FPD is dragging their feet and the mayor who said yes to body cams for FPD during a candidates’ forum last year seems to be ignoring the issue now. There are no legitimate reasons why FPD is not required to implement the body cam program, especially since grant money is available. Residents deserve a police force that is compliant with state and national requirements for transparency and accountability, and body and dash cams will ensure that. If residents feel FPD should be equipped with body cams, e-mail the  mayor@framinghamma.gov, he has the power to make this happen.