City of Cape Coral clarifies discussion of AI technology for code compliance using trash trucks
The city of Cape Coral’s Communication’s Office issued a response to social media posts concerning the possible use of cameras on garbage trucks to flag possible code violations.
“The City of Cape Coral is addressing recent misinformation circulating on social media and in some media reports regarding the potential use of artificial intelligence (AI) cameras on garbage trucks,” the release issued Friday states.
“Several weeks ago, City Council discussed the concept of installing AI-assisted cameras on solid waste collection vehicles to help identify potential code violations during routine routes.The idea was evaluated as part of ongoing efforts to explore operational efficiencies.
“Following further review, the City determined the technology would be cost-prohibitive and would not provide sufficient benefit to justify implementation. The City is not moving forward with AI camera technology on garbage trucks.”
The city also responded to posts it says claimed AI would be used to issue code violation notices.
“Claims suggesting that this technology would automatically identify, cite, or fine residents are inaccurate,” the release states. “Even if such a system were to be considered in the future, any potential code violations would require review and verification by a Code Compliance Officer before any enforcement action could be taken.”
The discussion before council took place in February.
City Manager Michael Ilczyszyn told council that staff could continue to ask for the money to hire more employees and keep adding more bodies, or the city could look for alternative ways that are better.
“AI is changing everything we do rapidly,” Ilczyszyn said at the meeting.
The city is looking at it for code enforcement, as AI would save fuel, and time of a code officer driving down multiple streets, he said.
“We haven’t deployed it yet. We are still figuring out funding,” he said at that meeting, adding that staff was exploring the practicality of such a program.
“I have asked all my department heads in every department to find ways to deploy AI to make us more efficient to keep costs down for residents.”
Ilczyszyn told council that AI in the context of code enforcement could include camera scanning devices on garbage trucks, for example, which would be something the city already has the right to do.
“We would save taxpayer money and accomplish the same job,” Ilczyszyn said.
The conversation was spurred by concerns of unlicensed contractors working within the city.
Ilczyszyn said they used an AI demo post Hurricane Ian to look at and identify roofs that were still not repaired. He said this, again, was no different than a code officer driving up and down streets and looking at each house.
“Camera detection systems are not new,” Ilczyszyn said. “I will always find more ways to be more efficient.”
Council discussed the technology but took no formal vote at the meeting.
The matter has not come back to council since the February discussion.
The city currently uses school zone cameras for speed enforcement for a designated period before, during and after school.
It also uses Flock cameras and tag readers.
The School District of Lee County uses cameras on school buses to detect drivers who illegally pass stopped buses.
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