What did Greeley police change?
Greeley Tribune reported that Greeley police have added new limits on Flock cameras and will stop using a set of Elsag plate cameras the state had been paying to run. The Flock restrictions were made during a Sept. 8 Greeley City Council work session.
The Flock rules, according to a city news release:
- Data sharing with out-of-state and national sources stopped Sept. 9.
- Data is now kept for 21 days instead of 30.
- Officers must record a reason and a case number before each Flock search.
- The reasons and searches will be audited monthly.
Why are the Elsag cameras going away?
The state told city officials in early September that reduced funding for the Colorado Auto Theft Prevention Authority program meant it could no longer pay to operate the Elsag cameras. Greeley police will terminate their contract with Colorado State Patrol and return two pickup-mounted cameras and two speed trailers. The speed van program uses separate automatic vehicle identification systems and will continue.
What changes for drivers in Greeley?
Under the plan, the two pickup-mounted Elsag cameras and two speed trailers go back to the state. The reporting describes new sharing, retention and search rules for Flock, but it does not say whether Greeley's Flock cameras will be removed.
What doesn't change: the speed van program keeps running, and the reporting does not describe any end to Flock plate reading in Greeley.
Does this end plate reading in Greeley?
Not according to the reporting. It describes tighter sharing, retention and search rules for Flock. Three Greeley residents filed a recall petition on Oct. 16 against Mayor Dale Hall, Mayor Pro Tem Melissa McDonald, Councilman Johnny Olson and Councilman Ryan Roth. They said their main reason was the council's support for license plate reader technology, and they also filed a citizen initiative to ban automated license plate readers in Greeley.
Brandon Wark said the new restrictions are "a good start" but "aren't good enough." He wants Greeley to end its Flock contract, as Lafayette and Fort Collins police have done.
What we don't know yet
The reporting gives no date for returning the Elsag equipment. It does not say whether Greeley will drop Flock, or whether the recall or citizen initiative will reach voters.
What to ask your city
Ask Greeley police whether the monthly audit has started, how many searches it reviewed, and whether the case-number rule applies to every search. The city's plate reader program page sits under the Technology menu at greeleyco.gov/police. For background, read how plate readers work, or check the camera map for cameras near you.
What's next
The recall and citizen initiative are the next steps the reporting names, but it gives no date for either. Watch the Greeley city clerk's office for the recall timeline.