RICHMOND, Va. -- The Richmond City Council passed an ordinance Monday night that will allow Richmond Police and VCU Police to continue to share records.
VCU Police Chief John Venuti told council members that the agreement has been in place since 2012, but a necessary system upgrade needed the city council's approval to keep the agreement going.
Some members of the city council said the agreement helps lead police to arrests, while others have concerns about "over-policing."
Council members have said they have had many calls and emails from citizens with concerns about the system and how it may be used.
Community members against the system protested outside of city council Monday. Their concerns are about transparency, how the records management system was obtained and if the system being used will over-police communities of color.
According to police, the system is not one to predict where crime will happen, but to see patterns and trends.
Richmond Police Chief Gerald Smith said, "I will be scheduling meetings to discuss...this system with the public in an open dialogue to discuss what it is, what it does and how it will help improve public safety here in the city of Richmond."
Smith did not give specific dates on Monday as far as when he plans on having these meetings with the public.
