The Naperville City Council voted down an $8.3 million proposal to upgrade and expand the city’s security camera system, citing the need for more information on usage policies and the rationale behind the expansion. The decision was made during the council’s meeting on Tuesday as debates over surveillance technology continue to take shape both locally and nationwide.

The project would have replaced roughly 200 outdated cameras and added an additional 270 units across the city. It also included plans to upgrade 404 existing access readers and install 98 more, which control entry to various buildings and rooms. Naperville currently operates 442 cameras that monitor facilities including water and electric utilities, the municipal center, Naper Settlement, and other city locations. The systems in use date back to 2013 and include separate networks for security cameras, traffic monitoring, and building access control.

Police Chief Jason Arres emphasized the necessity of updating the equipment to address reliability issues and enhance security for city employees and infrastructure. He noted that consolidating the disparate systems could also improve the city’s ability to support criminal investigations. The new cameras proposed in the initiative would feature artificial intelligence capabilities designed to assist police in identifying persons or vehicles of interest. For example, the AI could search for a specific descriptor, such as a “green pickup truck,” across camera footage in response to incidents like kidnappings.

Arres also outlined operational safeguards intended to regulate camera use. Access to footage would be restricted based on department roles, and all video would be deleted after 30 days, except when retention is required for legal purposes. The system would maintain an audit trail and impose consequences, including criminal penalties if misuse occurs. “A responsible system should limit access, require a legitimate purpose, create an audit trail, and allow us to identify and address improper activity,” Arres said.

Despite the chief’s assurances, several council members expressed reservations about the scope of the project. Councilwoman Mary Gibson raised concerns about the proposed addition of 60 cameras at the municipal center, arguing that existing security measures—including a nighttime guard and limited public access—might already be sufficient. She requested more detailed justification for the camera locations as well as the city’s written policies governing their use before supporting the proposal.

Ultimately, only Mayor Scott Wehrli and Councilman Ian Holzhauer voted in favor of the initiative. Councilman Patrick Kelly was absent. Following the vote, Arres stated that the council’s questions were legitimate and indicated he expects the project to be revisited with additional information. The decision reflects a broader hesitation among local officials and residents about balancing public safety benefits against privacy concerns amid growing scrutiny of surveillance technologies.