The Lawrence Transparency Project

The Lawrence Transparency Project The Lawrence Transparency Project is a grassroots effort by local residents working for public accountability and informed decision-making.

Wednesday, April 29 at 6 PM. Lawrence Public Library.The Lawrence Police Department is holding its first community meeti...
04/26/2026

Wednesday, April 29 at 6 PM. Lawrence Public Library.
The Lawrence Police Department is holding its first community meeting on Fusus.
Since we submitted our draft ordinance in November, ICE has come to Lawrence, Kansas invalidated 1,700 transgender residents' IDs, and Axon resumed facial recognition development. Integrated cameras in our city went from 112 to 474.
The situation has changed. We need a packed room.
Swipe through for the full picture.
Bring a friend.

It worked! You showed up in person, online, submitted written comments, and emailed your commissioners and the item was ...
03/11/2026

It worked!
You showed up in person, online, submitted written comments, and emailed your commissioners and the item was pulled from the consent agenda.
As a result, LKPD agreed to City Manager approval for acquisitions valued $25,000-$99,999, Commission approval for anything $100,000 or more, and public reporting on all procurements regardless of value.

This is a win for transparency. And it's also a reminder that the city still doesn't have a formal process for decisions like this one. That's what our draft Lawrence Technology Ordinance is designed to fix: locking in existing protections, requiring public approval before new surveillance tech is adopted, and creating ongoing accountability with a citizen advisory committee and annual public dashboard.

You can read the draft and leave feedback at LawrenceTransparency.org.

It worked! You showed up in person, online, submitted written comments, and emailed your commissioners and the item was ...
03/11/2026

It worked!

You showed up in person, online, submitted written comments, and emailed your commissioners and the item was pulled from the consent agenda.

As a result, LKPD agreed to City Manager approval for acquisitions valued $25,000-$99,999, Commission approval for anything $100,000 or more, and public reporting on all procurements regardless of value.

This is a win for transparency. And it's also a reminder that the city still doesn't have a formal process for decisions like this one. That's what our draft Lawrence Technology Ordinance is designed to fix: locking in existing protections, requiring public approval before new surveillance tech is adopted, and creating ongoing accountability with a citizen advisory committee and annual public dashboard.

You can read the draft and leave feedback at LawrenceTransparency.org.

A March 10 City Commission agenda item proposes enrolling the Lawrence Police Department in the federal LESO program, wh...
03/06/2026

A March 10 City Commission agenda item proposes enrolling the Lawrence Police Department in the federal LESO program, which transfers surplus equipment from the U.S. Department of Defense to local law enforcement.

The agenda references night vision equipment and training ammunition, but enrollment allows departments to request additional equipment in the future.

The LESO program does require governing body authorization, written policies, and training. However, the agenda item does not clarify what level of City Commission approval or public input would apply to future equipment requests.

Lawrence is also still in an active community process to establish clear oversight rules for surveillance technologies, a conversation that began after the Fusus platform was adopted through a consent agenda item without broader public discussion.

Before expanding law enforcement technology through new federal programs, it makes sense to complete that oversight process.

Learn more and find information on how to contact the City Commission at lawrencetransparency.org.

Reporting has clarified some key facts in the shooting inside Lawrence City Hall.Lawrence Police have stated that there ...
01/09/2026

Reporting has clarified some key facts in the shooting inside Lawrence City Hall.

Lawrence Police have stated that there was an alleged physical altercation prior to the shooting. At this time, details of that claim have not been independently documented or released, and no video evidence has been made public.

Police have said details are being withheld because the investigation is ongoing.

However, it has not yet been clearly stated whether this is a criminal investigation, who is conducting it, what evidence exists, or when the public should expect disclosure.

When lethal force is used by a government employee, transparency in the process that follows is paramount to community trust and understanding.

Before conclusions are settled, the public deserves clear information and a transparent process.

While we've been quiet on socials, we promise we've been busy! In September, the City paused new Fusus integrations and ...
11/30/2025

While we've been quiet on socials, we promise we've been busy! In September, the City paused new Fusus integrations and directed LKPD to collaborate with the community on oversight. Since then, we’ve been drafting a Surveillance Technology Ordinance built from months of community input, national best practices, ACLU CCOPS standards, and analysis of existing City and LKPD policies.

We met with LKPD on November 11 and delivered the draft as part of the Commission’s directive. We’re still waiting on their feedback, and now we’re inviting the community to weigh in too.

Read the ordinance and share your feedback at LawrenceTransparency.org

We did it, Lawrence! Yall showed up and we got Fusus integrations paused. Lawrence Transparency Project supports digital...
09/10/2025

We did it, Lawrence! Yall showed up and we got Fusus integrations paused.

Lawrence Transparency Project supports digital freedom: free expression, security, privacy, creativity, and access to knowledge.

Let's build some oversight. More gradient slides tomorrow. Get some rest!

09/09/2025

Mariel Ferreiro, immigrant rights advocate and community organizer, discusses how unregulated surveillance can increase risks for the immigrant community in Lawrence. Join us tonight at 5:45 at City Hall to demand a Pause and Oversight before any further expansion.

📣 Tonight’s the night.The City Commission is set to hear about Fusus, a surveillance integration platform slipped in thr...
09/09/2025

📣 Tonight’s the night.
The City Commission is set to hear about Fusus, a surveillance integration platform slipped in through a bundled contract with no real debate.

We’re calling for a pause on new integrations and AI until Lawrence adopts a real oversight ordinance with community input.

👥 Show up. Speak up. Or just be present. Numbers matter.
🗓️ Tuesday, Sept 9 – 5:45 PM
📍 City Hall, 6 E 6th St

This is what we've been leading up to. The plan was for none of this to be discussed at all. We've brought it up, got it on the agenda, got it moved *further* up on the agenda so action can be taken. Now it's time to get to City Hall and demand change!

See you tonight. Bring two friends!

09/09/2025

Dr. Caleb Stephens, LSCSW, LMAC, organizer with Black Lives Matter–LFK and community truth-teller, warns that unchecked surveillance expansion harms Black, Brown, and Indigenous residents, and others already disproportionately targeted. Join us Tuesday at 5:45 p.m. at City Hall to say: PAUSE Fusus expansion and create real OVERSIGHT with community input. (Don't worry about being there on time. He is right, they are always late.)

09/08/2025

Elise (they/she), the legendary abortion policy advocate and researcher, warns that unregulated, AI-powered surveillance integration in Lawrence creates real risks for people in our community, and for those passing through seeking life-saving medical care. Unless we hit pause and build oversight, those risks will only expand.

Join us tomorrow (Sept 9) at 5:45 PM at City Hall to ask the commission to PAUSE integrations until the community can establish OVERSIGHT over this program.

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