Commission authorizes sheriff to study Flock Safety cameras; one commissioner votes no citing privacy concerns
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Summary
A resolution endorsing initial exploration of Flock Safety visual monitoring devices — described in the meeting as license-plate readers — was approved and authorizes the sheriff to collect acquisition and installation information; one commissioner registered opposition citing privacy concerns.
The Van Buren County Commission approved a resolution authorizing the sheriff to gather information regarding acquisition and installation of Flock Safety visual monitoring devices (commonly described as license-plate readers) for law-enforcement use.
County counsel said the resolution, presented at the sheriff’s request, would allow the sheriff to investigate funding and technical details and then present findings to the commission for a final decision. A commissioner said the devices "are essentially license plate readers," and another voiced privacy concerns.
The motion to authorize the sheriff’s information-gathering and endorsement of the study passed by roll call with one commissioner recorded as opposed.
Next steps: the sheriff’s office will prepare a briefing with costs, deployment locations, data-retention practices, and vendor terms for the commission to consider in open session.