Opposition to Flock cameras unites Knox Commission
By Mike Steely
Senior Writer
steelym@knoxfocus.com
A special work session about Knox County’s increasing use of Flock cameras last week found members of the county commission united in their opposition to the use of the surveillance system by the sheriff’s department.
The meeting, called to discuss District 8 Commissioner Adam Thompson’s emergency ordinance on the matter, saw two Flock executives speak about the camera’s capabilities with claims that the cameras have solved 10% of the crime in the nation.
Alex Guth, Flock’s national sales director, and Trevor Chandler, Flock’s director of public affairs, said the observation cameras do not violate a person’s 4th Amendment right and do not track a person. They said that a local police department decides how to share the information, which is deleted after 30 days unless it is used to follow up on a crime.
Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs, who originally signed off on a Flock contract thanks to a state grant of $1.5 million for public safety, issued a 30-day cancellation of the agreement on August 12th after learning of the capabilities of the cameras. Currently, the Knox County Sheriff’s Office operates 143 Flock cameras, with plans to expand the number of cameras and extend the contract.
Law Director David Buuck told the meeting that KCSO may have violated county purchasing policy and that the Flock company is currently operating in the county without a valid agreement.
Thompson’s emergency ordinance proposes to add a new article to the Knox County Code establishing limitations on surveillance technology and supports Glenn’s cancellation of the Flock agreement.
Several commissioners voiced their support of cancelling the Flock contract as well.
Commissioner Rhonda Lee of District 7 said the contract with Flock and the county was “not transparent” and no mention of the cameras was in the original agreement.
District 4 Commissioner Shane Jackson asked the Flock officials if they had seen the mayor’s cancellation letter, and both replied they have not. He also questioned the county’s cost in maintaining the camera system and who owns the information the cameras provide.
At-large Commissioner Larsen Jay noted the lower-ranking KCSO representative present at the meeting and noted the “massive resignation of members” of the sheriff’s legal department prior to the meeting. He asked who has access to the camera information, and the reply was 435 KCSO officers.
Jay was critical of Hugh Holt, KCSO Director of Purchasing, and said the department “slid it in and didn’t tell us,” in reference to the contract with Flock.
The commissioners also questioned KCSO’s creation of a Real Time Crime Center based on the Flock cameras.
First District Commissioner Damon Rawls, who said his district has the bulk of the cameras, asked about the status of crime solving in his district and was told there is no impact report.
Thompson questioned why most of the $1.5 million state grant money went to the cameras and the proposed crime center. He wondered if the grant money might have to be paid back and said, of the Flock camera system agreement, “We don’t physically own anything.”
Commissioner Terry Hill of District 6 said Flock cameras might be appropriate around schools or high-traffic areas and suggested the emergency ordinance might be delayed until the new sheriff and mayor take office. For the moment, the current sheriff and county mayor have an agreement not to deploy any new cameras.
Commissioners Jay and Shane Jackson of District 4 questioned what other agencies could access Flock camera information and were told the FBI, ICE, Homeland Security and TVA, or other agencies with permissions approved by Flock.
District 9 Commissioner Andy Fox asked what vehicle features the Flock cameras record.
At-large Commissioner Kim Frazier asked the Flock executives again about the termination letter sent by Mayor Glenn. “For the record, you have not seen it?” They replied they have not.
The law director referred to the Flock and county agreement and added, “This is one of the screwiest contracts I’ve ever read.” He added that the Flock company has apparently “chosen to ignore” the termination of the agreement. He said Flock is currently operating in the county with no valid agreement.
District 2 Commissioner Courtney Durrett questioned if footage downloaded from Flock cameras by the KCSO could be held forever.
Buuck and the commissioners also discussed whether or not KCSO could sue the county over the cancellation of the Flock contract.
Commission Chair Gina Oster ended the meeting on a humorous note, “It’s a good thing when Democrats and Republicans can agree on something.” She was referring to the overwhelming disapproval of the Flock camera system.
