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 cameras in the business district to investigate recent robberies and other crimes.

Board members and staff discussed privacy and data-access concerns. One board member said the presentation was for transparency and noted the board was not being asked to approve the grant application at the meeting. Several aldermen asked for a separate discussion about Flock's network and data-sharing model before the city commits to a contract. One board member said she had learned at a conference that Flock had paused a program with federal agencies that would have allowed broader federal searches, and she urged the city to verify Flock's current sharing policies before proceeding. Chief Smith said he had already raised similar questions with a Flock representative and expected answers from Flock support.

What Chief Smith proposed - Apply for Blue Shield grant funds to pay for three years of Flock Safety public-space camera service (estimated $3,000 per camera per year) and install cameras at several downtown and public-space locations (Brentwood & Forsyth, Fourth at Forsyth and Central, Justice Center lot and areas near Metrolink access). - Use both existing private cameras (on buildings) and Flock cameras to improve investigative capability and event monitoring; during large events the department would do active monitoring from a temporary command post. - Continue to require Clayton PD approval to share stored video; LPR sharing already uses the Flock platform currently in department use for license-plate readers.

Privacy and oversight issues raised Board members asked for a formal review of how Flock handles cross-jurisdictional searches, who can download retained data, retention limits and audit trails for searches. One board member noted recent press that Flock paused certain data-sharing arrangements with federal agencies and said the pause indicated Flock is changing its policies.

Board action Chief Smith said the department intends to apply for the grant and that a later contract would come back to the board for approval. No ordinance or motion was required or passed at the meeting to submit the application; the board instructed staff to develop answers to specific data-access and oversight questions and to schedule a follow-up discussion.

Context The presentation noted other nearby municipalities using Flock video and LPR services. Chief Smith said the Blue Shield program allows jurisdictions meeting grant standards to procure community-policing and technology-based tools. The department emphasized it would control access to the videos and that Flock would host the cloud service, while Clayton PD would manage approvals for sharing or responses to requests for footage.