Civic Assembly
A new process for engaging the community in policy making!
What Is a Civic Assembly?
A civic assembly is a group of community members brought together to learn about an issue, discuss it thoughtfully, and make recommendations to the Edgewater City Council. Participants are typically selected through a random, representative process so the group reflects the broader community, not just the most vocal voices.
Civic assemblies are designed to complement traditional decision making, not replace it. They help ensure that complex or controversial issues are shaped by informed public input.
Why Use a Civic Assembly?
Communities face increasingly complex challenges, from public safety technology to housing, infrastructure, and climate. Civic assemblies provide a structured, fair, and transparent way to:
- Build public trust in decisions
- Include voices that are often underrepresented
- Move beyond polarized debates
- Ground decisions in shared learning and real community values
How It Works
1. Selection: A diverse group of community members are randomly selected to reflect the community’s demographics (age, gender, income, home ownership, etc.).
2. Learning: Participants receive balanced, expert informed information about the issue. This often includes presentations, data, and stakeholder perspectives.
3. Deliberation: Facilitated small group discussions allow participants to explore tradeoffs, ask questions, and consider different viewpoints.
4. Recommendation: The assembly develops a set of recommendations, often through consensus or voting.
5. Decision & Response: Elected officials or agencies review the recommendations and utilize in the final decision making process.
What Makes a Civic Assembly Different?
Unlike public meetings or surveys, civic assemblies:
- Prioritize depth over speed
- Provide participants time to learn before forming opinions
- Are facilitated to ensure respectful, balanced discussion
- Reflect the broader community, not just those who opt in or speak loudly
Benefits to the Community
Better Decisions
Recommendations are informed, balanced, and grounded in real-world perspectives.
Stronger Legitimacy
Decisions carry greater public confidence when residents are meaningfully involved.
More Inclusive Participation
Random selection brings in voices that are often missing from traditional engagement.
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Automated License Plate Readers (ALPRs) FAQs
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What are Automated License Plate Reader (ALPRs)?
ALPRs are cameras that capture still images of passing vehicles, including the license plate number, vehicle make and color, and certain unique, distinguishing details (bumper stickers, roof racks, damage, etc.). This information is then transmitted securely to a database that Edgewater Police Officers can search. The City of Edgewater owns this information and does not sell it to third parties.
The cameras do not identify people, gender, or race/ethnicity. They do not record video and do not use facial recognition technology. They do not record or store driver or vehicle owner information.
Does the City of Edgewater use APLRs?
Yes. The City has a contract with Flock Safety, which provides six ALPRs that are mounted in fixed locations around the city. Members of the Edgewater Police Department who have been trained may conduct searches in the database. The search must be related to official and legitimate law enforcement business and may not be used for unauthorized purposes. Prohibited uses include searches related to immigration enforcement or reproductive rights.
Why does the Edgewater Police Department use ALPRs?
ALPRs provide real-time alerts to officers and can also be used to generate investigative leads in criminal investigations. The cameras serve as a “force multiplier” that allows officers to work more effectively and efficiently. Officers receive real-time alerts, via the Colorado Crime Information Center, regarding vehicles of interest. This includes vehicles that are stolen, have stolen plates, are associated with wanted parties, or are associated with missing persons.
Edgewater Police Officers have responded to these alerts and recovered stolen vehicles and arrested criminals. Investigators also use ALPRs to generate investigative leads regarding vehicles used in crimes.
Who can search data obtained by Edgewater ALPRs?
Trained and approved members of the Edgewater Police Department may conduct searches within the Flock System. Every search conducted identifies the person conducting the search and requires that the user provide a legitimate reason for the search. This information is logged and is regularly audited.
Recognizing that criminals routinely travel between many jurisdictions, the Edgewater Police Department shares access to its cameras with a number of other law enforcement agencies in Colorado, and other agencies likewise provide us with access to their cameras. Edgewater PD does not allow access to its cameras by agencies outside of Colorado or by the federal government. Edgewater PD chooses whom to share access with. These searches are also logged and regularly audited.
What safeguards are in place to protect privacy and civil rights?
The Edgewater Police Department is committed to using any technology in a responsible manner that respects our community’s values and privacy. Data gathered by ALPRs is automatically deleted after thirty days unless it has become part of a criminal investigation. Policies are in place to ensure that searches are only conducted for legitimate, law enforcement purposes and personnel must undergo training before becoming users. Audits of searches are regularly conducted.