Somerville Giving Residents Chance To Share Input On Important Police Topic

SOMERVILLE, MA — Residents will have an opportunity later this month to weigh in on a proposal to equip the city's police officers with body-worn cameras.

Mayor Jake Wilson has called a virtual special meeting of the City Council and public hearing on the issue for Monday, July 27, at 6:30 p.m. The hearing comes as the City Council considers whether to accept a $231,635 state grant awarded through the Massachusetts Office of Grants and Research to help fund the purchase of body-worn camera equipment. Community members will be able to provide public comment during the hearing.

The use of body-worn cameras has been under discussion in Somerville for several years. Following the death of George Floyd in 2020, the city included body-worn cameras as part of its 10-point plan to address systemic racism. The City Council unanimously supported deploying the technology in March 2021, and later that month the city reached an agreement with the Somerville Police Employees Association after several years of negotiations. Last year, the Department of Racial and Social Justice's Public Safety for All Task Force also recommended implementing body-worn cameras in its final report.

According to the city, Somerville applied for the state grant after the funding opportunity was announced in late 2025 and was notified of the award earlier this year. The city must purchase and receive the equipment by Aug. 31, 2026, to retain the funding.

The special meeting comes after 89 residents requested a public hearing on body-worn cameras in June. According to the mayor's office, councilors indicated they wanted to hear public feedback before voting on whether to accept the grant funding. Wilson said the additional hearing is intended to provide that opportunity before the grant deadline expires and is not meant to replace the public hearing requested under the City Charter.

The meeting will be held virtually. Residents can register to participate online before the meeting begins. Written comments may also be submitted to the City Clerk by mail or by email. Comments must be received by 12 p.m. on July 27 to be shared with the City Council during the hearing.

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