While we should all be mindful of the role new technology plays in surveilling us, it’s important not to lose sight of the benefits it provides. In the case of Flock cameras, I think it’s crystal clear that the security benefits far outweigh the small amount of privacy we give up.
Riverside is a low-crime, low-lawsuit community precisely because we have pro-active, upstanding law enforcement officers who use modern policing technology while respecting the rights of citizens. Riverside has strict protocols to ensure Flock cameras are not abused. Officers can’t search the data without an explicit law enforcement purpose.
Many serious crimes involve vehicles, and some pass into our town. Flock cameras are an important new tool that past law enforcement agencies would be envious of. While The Landmark reported that Flock camera critic DeFlock’s “report found that less than .3% of license plate reader hits turn into useful leads,” the .3% number actually makes the case for Flock cameras and proves they are working as intended. For every 1,000 license plates photographed, 997 are ignored, while 3 are used for leads in an investigation. The vast majority of plate pictures are never even looked at. That also shows that it’s working. The system is giving investigators leads and helping them solve crimes.
It is grossly inaccurate and shortsighted to view this technology merely as a “surveillance network.” Flock cameras do not track people, faces, or behavior inside vehicles. They capture license plate numbers, vehicle make, model, and color in public streets where there is no legal expectation of privacy. Illinois highways (not just toll roads) have been doing this for years and sharing the information with local law enforcement when necessary. While Flock data is purged after 30 days, state data can be held up to 90 days. Three times longer. And it’s our own government. Where is the outrage at the state of Illinois for collecting our information first and investigating later? Crickets.
While some have expressed concern about sharing the data with over 450 local organizations, this is arguably the greatest strength of Flock cameras. Criminals don’t care about borders. A vehicle stolen in a neighboring town or involved in an Amber Alert can enter Riverside in minutes. Sharing data allows local police to receive real-time alerts when a suspect or stolen vehicle enters our town. This gives police the ability to stop that crime and prevent another one from possibly taking place. If anything we need more Flock cameras, not less.
What you are not being told about is dozens of documented cases where Flock cameras have been used to save a child during an Amber Alert. Flock cameras tracked the vehicle and gave officers the information needed to catch the kidnapper and rescue the child. I for one am perfectly fine with cameras taking pictures of our cars if it means saving a child’s life.
If Riverside were to remove Flock cameras, we’d be giving up a vital new public safety tool, placing a greater burden on our police officers, and placing the public at greater risk. The purpose of Flock cameras is to help keep communities safe, solve unsolved crimes, and help solve ongoing ones. I believe the evidence shows they are doing just that.
Riverside should keep its Flock Cameras and I urge you to email Riverside President Douglas Pollock and Director of Public Safety Matthew Buckley and show your support.