TBA Law Blog


Posted by: Azya Thornton on Jan 21, 2026

Downtown surveillance cameras will not be purchased with state grant funds following a Tuesday vote from the Nashville Metro Council. According to the Nashville Post, the council voted 20-15, with three abstentions, to not use a portion of a $15 million state public safety grant awarded to the Nashville Downtown Partnership to buy 15 replacement cameras, citing concerns about state overreach, surveillance and potential impacts on marginalized communities. The council did approve using the grant funds for an armored rescue vehicle, a mobile command post and a tactical support post for the Metro Nashville Police Department. The vote followed extensive public comment opposing the cameras and ongoing debate over surveillance technology in the city.