The Teutopolis Village Board unanimously agreed not to install Flock Safety cameras after considering the cost and opposing testimony against them earlier this month.
Several weeks ago, a Flock Safety representative approached village officials and presented a sales pitch for the cameras. The two-year contract would cost the village $7,000 each year, for a total of $14,000.
Flock Safety cameras are automatic license plate readers that use motion sensors and artificial intelligence to record license plate information, date and time stamps, and vehicle characteristics. The company’s website says the cameras don’t collect biometric data, driver information and facial recognition data. The cameras are intended to be used to help solve crimes quicker, recover stolen vehicles faster, reduce time spent reviewing video footage, provide clear control over data access and retention, and emphasize transparency and responsible use.
However, over 80 communities nationwide have cancelled their contracts with Flock Safety or didn’t renew them due to concerns with the company, such as privacy concerns and data collection, according to deflock.org.
Three of these communities are in Illinois: Salem, Evanston and Oak Park. Local governments had concerns with Flock Safety violating state and local laws, privacy, trusting the company and the potential the cameras have for immigration enforcement that violates local ordinances and state law.
Evanston is just one of the cities in the nation where Flock Safety re-installed its cameras without the city government’s approval after the termination of its contract with the company. This spurred the City of Evanston to send a cease-and-desist order to Flock Safety.
Village President Dave Repking prefaced the conversation with his disapproval of the cameras and the cost, but noted that he doesn’t get to vote on agenda items.
Village Trustee Dave Tegeler thought there could be some benefits to installing Flock cameras, but agreed with Repking that the village shouldn’t pay $14,000 for them – even though so Effingham County communities have the cameras.
“I know Montrose has it, Effingham has it, Dieterich has it, and so I did some homework on it, and I think before AI came out, I think I would be maybe not as opposed to it,” said Village Trustee Rachel Collins. “Now with AI, I’m not sure. I don’t know what they’re capturing, and I don’t know that they can truly answer us.”
Several Teutopolis residents were prepared to testify in opposition.
“Have you been on their website and looked at the Flock map? That’s scary. It’s scary what’s being surveilled … I think this is a disgrace,” said Eric Pals. “Our founding fathers warned us of this stuff, and I can preach about this and lecture about this for hours. It’s what I like to do.
“I don’t mean to be disrespectful or rude, but installing this is what traitors do. This is a complete violation of due process, privacy,” he continued.
Since all of the village trustees were opposed to Flock Safety cameras, the item died for a lack of motion.
In other news, the board is considering a third tax increment financing (TIF) district for the South Smith Street redevelopment project area.
A brief discussion was held regarding future dates, which are still to be determined, for a public hearing regarding a possible third TIF district.