The Troy City Council has drafted a local law establishing standards for the use of automated license-plate reading cameras following its recent conflict with Mayor Carmella Mantello over the city's contract with Flock cameras. Crafted by Councilperson Noreen McKee, the local law will be introduced for discussion at the council's Thursday meeting. A public hearing on the legislation is tentatively set for 5:30 p.m., May 21 at 5:30 in Troy City Hall. Mantello, the Rensselaer County district attorney and Troy police chief came out against the measure on Monday. The council says the camera systems collect detailed data on people without their knowledge and poses risks to privacy, civil liberties and the freedom of movement if unregulated. To "protect residents from government surveillance and to maintain public trust in city operations," the proposed law would limit the city's use of automated license-plate reading (ALPR) cameras and the transfering of plate data to certain conditions, such as in connection with an investigation, a crime or a missing person. It would require plate data obtained by the city to be permanently deleted within 48 hours, except in certain legal situations. It would also require any city department or agency that operates or uses the system to post an annual report on the city's website and maintain a log of every query for three years. “The council supports the important work of the Troy Police Department to investigate crime in our community, but as this technology continues to rapidly evolve, we must ensure protections and oversight are in place,” council president Sue Steele said. The legislation also sets a penalty for persons injured by violations of the proposed law by entitling them to damages for mental pain and suffering, or $1,000, whichever is greater, reasonable attorneys' fees and costs of litigation. The law