The Brentwood City Council approved a $240,000 contract for 32 automatic license plate reader cameras to aid the local police. This unanimous decision faced pushback regarding privacy and potential misuse of data, especially concerning marginalized communities. Councilmember Pierson and others raised valid concerns about the implications of monitoring in public spaces and its impact on civil liberties. Flock's representatives assured that the cameras would only document vehicle information, not personal movements, emphasizing strict data handling policies, including a 30-day retention limit and deletion afterward.
Flock's Community Engagement Manager Kristen McLeod stressed that the automatic license plate reader cameras will not track individuals continuously, as they focus solely on vehicle details.
Councilmember Pierson expressed concerns over the impact of such surveillance on marginalized groups, questioning whether the data would be misused against them.
McLeod noted that if these camera practices were deemed unlawful, Flock would promptly deactivate and remove the equipment.
The Brentwood City Council unanimously approved the $240,000 purchase of surveillance cameras, aiming to enhance police capabilities amid ongoing debates about privacy and civil liberties.
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