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Motion to remove Flock Safety camera from Galesville pole fails 2-3
Summary
A motion to direct the mayor to request removal of a Flock Safety license-plate reader from a city-owned pole north of the Beaver Creek bridge failed on a 2-3 vote; council voiced privacy and contract concerns during debate.
A motion to have the city request the immediate removal of a Flock Safety license-plate reader (LPR) from a city-owned pole north of the Beaver Creek bridge over US Highway 53/South Main Street failed on Feb. 12.
Alderperson Jean Seely moved that the City of Galesville direct the mayor to request removal of the camera and revoke any prior authorization for its installation; Dave Carlson seconded. The motion failed on a 2-3 vote (Carlson-yes; Grover-no; Larson-no; Seely-yes; Swing-no).
Mayor Tom Thatcher had earlier clarified that the installation "followed Ordinance 2-2-3(b)(1)," and stated that no city funds or employee labor were used to place the camera on the city-owned pole. Council members who opposed removal cited the camera's value to law enforcement; members supporting removal cited privacy concerns and the absence of a written contract between the city and County.
Council discussion also included questions about whether private data sources such as Ring doorbell feeds are integrated into the Flock network; members asked for clearer written agreements and oversight before allowing or removing such systems.
