April 30, 2025

Dear Members of the Scarsdale Board of Trustees,

We are writing as concerned Scarsdale residents regarding your recently disclosed plans to implement a mass surveillance system in our Village, which reportedly would include license plate readers (LPRs) and drone-based monitoring technologies.

While we support responsible efforts to ensure public safety, we are deeply concerned about the broad and lasting implications of deploying such a surveillance system without having had a transparent and inclusive process that engages residents of Scarsdale, all of whom will be affected by this surveillance. Systems of this scale have the potential to alter the relationship between residents and local government very significantly, with lasting impacts on privacy, civil liberties, and public trust.

The introduction of these types of powerful surveillance tools should be accompanied by robust community dialogue, clearly defined policy safeguards, and transparent oversight mechanisms. These steps are not merely procedural; they are foundational and critical to democratic governance and responsible stewardship of public power and taxpayer funds.

We respectfully urge the Board of trustees to:

1. Pause implementation of any surveillance infrastructure until a thorough and transparent community engagement process has been completed. We would strongly urge you to hold a forum for a public discussion, including privacy impact assessments and independent expert testimony.
2. Disclose all funding sources, grant applications, and program details related to this initiative.
3. Develop and adopt clear policy frameworks that define the scope, purpose, and limitations of any surveillance technologies considered.

We believe it is vital that Scarsdale residents have a meaningful voice in shaping policies that affect our collective safety, rights, and freedoms. We thank you for your volunteerism on the Board and for your attention to this important matter. We look forward to your response and the opportunity for transparent and participatory communication on this very important issue.

Recent Articles and Opinion Pieces About Scarsdale's Surveillance Technology

New Surveillance Stokes Fear in Scarsdale

Does Scarsdale Village Want to be Associated with Flock Safety?

The Risks vs. Rewards of Surveillance

Unanswered Questions About Scarsdale’s Surveillance System

Mayor Vows to Improve Transparency and Responds to Questions About Proposed Surveillance System

Village Responds to Questions About New Surveillance System