Fredonia board divided over Flock cameras

A resolution opposing the use of automated license plate readers that according to one trustee would “help trail-blaze and spearhead this pushback against the corrupt and traitorous politicians who want to enslave us as much as possible” was put on hold by the Village Board last week.

Trustee Shane Van Roo said he brought the resolution to the board to set an example for communities in the area, the county and the state about the cameras, widely known by the brand name Flock, that collect, store, analyze and share information about movements of vehicles.

“It’s just ensuring we’re not overstepping with some of this technology. From what I can understand, most people have a generally negative opinion toward those systems,” he said.

Trustee Jessica Franck acknowledged there is pushback against Flock cameras  and some police officers have mismanaged the tool.

“But if you want tracking, you have a cell phone. Everybody can track a cell phone,” she said.

“The only Flock camera in this village is at the school entrance, and I don’t want that taken away because I have a child in the school and I want to know that that school is being monitored safely.”

Village Marshal Eric Leet said the Flock system isn’t a good fit for his department “from a financial, practical and community aspect.”

He said he has used them in his past job as a police officer in Port Washington.

“I personally have seen them save lives, solve crimes and find and cite vehicles,” he said. “It’s a tool. If it’s used improperly, like any other tool, it can bring harm.”

But, he said, “I’m as mad as Trustee Van Roo when I see one of these stories that one of us has gone astray and misused this technology.”

By punishing those who misuse the cameras, “I think that’s more of a sign that we in law enforcement are doing our best to use these devices correctly,” Leet said.

Trustee Anne Redmond said she sees the advantages and disadvantages of the cameras and wasn’t ready to vote for or against the resolution. Trustee Eric Stowe agreed.

“The data privacy side of me is screaming but the law enforcement side of me sees the usefulness of the technology,” he said.

While Leet said information from Flock cameras may only be shared with other departments who use the Flock system, Trustee D.J. Syring said he is worried what may happen if the system becomes more advanced.

“My concern with systems like this is it becomes guilty until proven innocent,” he said.

 Leet said one advantage of having the camera at the school is in the case of a threat. The system can determine if someone is driving toward the school, allowing time for staff members, students and law enforcement to take action.

Franck cited the case last spring in which the Grafton Police Department used Flock cameras to track a stolen car from Chicago and arrest seven people for multiple alleged crimes.

Nobody made a motion on the resolution. The board may address it in the future, officials said.