Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Surveillance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Edgewater panel deadlocks on ban of Flock license-plate readers; motion to forbid cameras fails 3–2
Summary
A motion to add a charter prohibition on Flock automatic license-plate readers failed 3–2 after testimony from residents and staff about privacy concerns, operational benefits, and sunk costs for the systems already deployed across the city.
A motion to add language to the City Charter forbidding Flock automatic license-plate readers failed at the March 17 Charter Review Board meeting after a split vote.
Board member Mandy Bullard moved to forward language that would prevent further placement of Flock cameras in the charter and give voters an opportunity to decide; Linda Mosher seconded. After discussion and public comment, the board took roll call: Donna McDavid, Patrick Fisher and Gary Conroy recorded "no"; Mandy Bullard and Linda Mosher recorded "yes." The motion failed on a 3–2 vote.
Resident Kim Long, who spoke during public comment, said the cameras "appeared in our town" without clear public notice and described concern about where data are stored and who has access. "It seems like it was all done in secret," Long said.
City Manager Mahoney and Finance Director Bridget Bass described the cameras as budgeted law-enforcement tools and recounted prior council discussion. Mahoney said the systems are leased and "they're approximately $3,500 per location," and Bass estimated the city's overall cost at roughly $100,000 per year while noting there are about 20–25 tag readers and park cameras in place. Mahoney and Bass emphasized real-time alerts can aid investigations — for example, by notifying dispatch when a vehicle of interest passes a reader.
Board members debating the measure framed it as a trade-off between privacy and public safety. Supporters argued that voters should decide whether to limit the technology; opponents said existing systems have demonstrable public-safety value and are controlled through state data arrangements and law-enforcement procedures. The board agreed to forward its recommendations to the City Council for refinement rather than adopt any charter ban.
The meeting record shows staff and board members said state statutes restrict public access to ALPR data absent a court order; City Attorney Sabatini and staff indicated data access rules are governed by state law and law-enforcement agreements.
