Ozark approves purchase of Flock Safety license-plate cameras; aldermen hear legal and operational questions

The Ozark Board of Aldermen on March 3 approved an ordinance authorizing the city to enter into a contract with Flock Group Incorporated for Flock Safety cameras and technology.

Police Chief Justin Arnold told the board the city currently operates three Flock cameras and plans to add six cameras focused on city limits and approaches, plus separate cameras for the park and other entrances under a related contract; he said the total installation plan discussed would lead to about 12 devices described during the presentation.

Chief Arnold described license-plate-reader systems as a crime-fighting tool distinct from automated red-light enforcement. “Red light cameras are not a crime fighting tool,” Arnold said. “Flock cameras ... are, if not the best, one of the best crime fighting tools available to police departments right now.” He said the system provides objective evidence, can identify vehicles and plates, and provides real-time alerts tied to criminal-justice databases.

Aldermen asked about legal risk if state legislation later blocked municipal use of the technology. The chief said the city could terminate the contract if state law preempted the program but noted the contract does not appear to provide for refunds of camera purchase costs and some technology subscription fees would be prorated.

Alderman Snyder moved adoption of the ordinance; Alderman Galloway seconded. In a roll call Hutchinson, Aiken, Metcalfe, Snyder, Galloway and Campbell voted yes; the motion carried 6–0.

Why it matters: aldermen approved citywide expansion of automated license-plate-reader technology that the police chief said would increase the department’s investigative capacity. During the meeting officials discussed where cameras would be sited, that the system relies on existing criminal-justice information feeds, and the possibility of financial loss if future state law preempts local use.