Clayton Police to apply for Blue Shield grant to add public cameras; board members raise Flock data-sharing and privacy questions

Clayton Police Chief described plans to use a $50,000 Blue Shield grant from the Missouri Department of Public Safety to install public-space cameras and license-plate readers (LPRs), and said the department intends to submit a grant application with a quick Sept. 2 deadline.

Chief Smith told the Board of Aldermen on Aug. 26 that allowable grant purchases include LPRs, body-worn cameras, in-car computers and public-space camera systems. The department is proposing three years of Flock Safety camera service (hardware, software, maintenance and support) at roughly $3,000 per camera per year; the Blue Shield grant would cover the three-year term. Chief Smith said the department would not automatically share video and that "video sharing must be approved by Clayton PD." He outlined proposed camera locations in Old Town and near the Justice Center and said the department already uses private…