City of Madison’s Security & Traffic Cameras
Our Program
The City of Madison has two major camera systems which are part of the Camera Management Lifecycle Program. These systems are the City's Digital Security Cameras and the City's Traffic Cameras. These cameras are managed by the City's Camera Management System which is run by the City of Madison's Information Technology Department.
Who Uses the Cameras?
- The Madison Police Department uses the City of Madison's Security Cameras to assist in investigations and to promote greater public safety in our community.
- City Departments use the City's Security Cameras to secure and protect City facilities.
- Traffic Engineering uses traffic cameras to view and analyze areas of traffic congestion, adapt traffic signals, or improve traffic safety and flow.
What are the Cameras We Use?
The City's camera inventory includes Axis box; bullet; dome; panoramic; and Point, Tilt, Zoom (PTZ) cameras. We do not have any Flock Safety Cameras in our inventory, and they are not used by City staff for our work.
What Guides Our Work?
We use the Madison General Ordinance, Chapter 23.63, “Use of Surveillance Technology," to inform the acquisition of surveillance technology, and the placement and replacement of digital security cameras. Per the “Use of Surveillance Technology" Ordinance, we do not have software that uses automatic license plate readers, gunshot detection systems, or gait analysis software.
The City of Madison Ordinance Chapter 23.64, “Banning Use of Face Surveillance Technology," also bans the use of facial recognition software.
Our Reporting
All City Departments are required to conduct an annual review of their Surveillance Technology and to submit an annual report ensuring compliance with "Use of Surveillance Technology" Ordinance to the Common Council Office. The Council Office submits the complied Annual Surveillance Technology Report to the Common Council through a resolution. The Annual Surveillance Technology Report includes:
- An inventory of current Surveillance Technology and the applicable policies
- How the Department has used the data collected by its Surveillance Technology
- How any Surveillance Data is being shared with other entities
- How well Surveillance Data management protocols are safeguarding individual information
- Whether the Department has received any complaints or concerns about their Surveillance Technology use.
The Common Council reviews and acts on the resolution accompanying the Annual Surveillance Technology Report.