Several citizens gathered to voice concerns and opinions related to the use of Flock cameras in Meade County during a town hall Wednesday (9/9) evening.
Meade County Sheriff Phillip Wimpee organized the public meeting to ensure residents were actively involved in deciding how the county moves forward with the technology. During the presentation, it was noted that the cameras are only a license plate reader which captures basic information of the vehicles that pass it and the information is stored up to 30 days before being deleted. Sheriff Wimpee said that he is implementing officers to seek a search warrant before using the flock system in cases unless a situation requires an immediate use.
Citizens raised concerns on the captured data to be improperly used by tracking routine trips or causing false results by causing an invasion of privacy. Some inquired why the 5 cameras in the county were installed without the input of the community. Sheriff Wimpee answered that they were a tool of technology that positivity assist with investigations such as stolen vehicles or abductions cases. The conversion countered with some stating that they would be fine with officer body cameras but not Flock cameras. Officials pointed out bdy cameras would in some situations would cause a bigger of invasion of privacy as officers interact with citizens in their homes or private spaces during sensitive moments.
A Flock representative was in attendance by a Zoom call and provided answers to some of the concerns and offered that a specific website portal could be developed and published in order for further transparency of use of the Flock system. Sheriff Wimpee told those in attendance that he was listening to the comments and would take all sides under advisement. The cost of individual cameras are $3500 for the purchase plus an additional $3500 annual fee per camera. Sheriff Wimpee said funding for the cameras came from donations to his office and no taxpayer money was used toward the Flock system.
You can watch the entire town hall by visiting our “On Demand” section.
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