The Grants Police Department has stopped using Flock Safety cameras. KOAT reported that the decision followed privacy concerns raised by community members, and that the department plans to look at other security technology. For background on how these readers work, see how plate readers work.
Why did Grants stop using the cameras?
Chief Maxine Monte said Thursday morning that the reason was public safety. "The main reason was the safety of our community," she said.
The privacy concerns center on where the license plate data is stored and who can access it. KOAT reports that privacy concerns led the city to end three contracts with Flock Safety.
Resident Maggie Billiman, who has lived in the area for eight years, said "we're against it" and welcomed the decision.
What cameras did Grants have?
KOAT reports that the city installed four license plate readers and four cameras in 2022, before Monte became chief. The cameras have assisted police, including in the capture of a wanted man from Oklahoma.
What changes for drivers?
The department has asked Flock Safety to deactivate and remove the cameras. KOAT does not say whether that has happened yet.
The department is exploring other security technology, but KOAT does not name the options or say when a decision will come. Monte said the main concern is keeping "what we're capturing" on Flock or "any system we utilize now or in the future" safe and secure.
Check the camera map to see which readers are mapped near you. KOAT does not give a date for the removal, so there is no deadline to watch yet.