Bloomington Community Advisory on Public Safety Commission, April 16, 2026

The City of Bloomington's Community Advisory on Public Safety Commission met on April 16, 2026, to discuss ongoing public safety initiatives and related procurement matters. Key topics included the LEAP study on alternatives to 911 services, which is funded and set to begin in April, aiming to analyze 911 call data to improve emergency response. The commission expressed interest in engaging the public through deliberation sessions planned for September and October and discussed the challenges of communication and stakeholder involvement in the study process. Additionally, the commission reviewed the recent decision not to renew the contract with Flock Safety, a license plate reader technology provider, citing concerns about transparency, data privacy, and the company's practices. Members requested access to the original RFP or RFI documents related to the Flock contract to better understand the city's procurement rationale and explore alternative vendors. The meeting also touched on the use of drones in police responses and the need for clearer policies and oversight. No formal votes on procurement were recorded, but action items included pursuing further information on the LEAP study, the Flock contract, and potential alternative surveillance technologies.