Lynchburg City Council is set to continue discussions regarding the removal timeline for Flock Safety cameras, according to WSET reported.
Last week, the council voted to terminate its contract with Flock Safety. This resolution, introduced by Councilor Chris Faraldi, also stipulated that the cameras remain offline and be removed when the agreement expires in April. However, the exact date of removal remains a point of contention.
What are the proposed changes for Flock cameras?
Councilor Martin Misjuns plans to introduce two resolutions at the upcoming Tuesday meeting:
- Privacy-protection policy: This resolution would require a warrant for certain searches of old license plate recognition data by the Lynchburg Police Department. It also aims to generally prohibit the department from using specific radio frequency vehicle tracking technology.
- Earlier contract termination: This resolution proposes ending the city's contract with Flock Safety by next month, aiming for camera removal by October. Misjuns stated that the license agreement allows for 30 days' notice, after which the equipment is no longer authorized.
Faraldi expressed concerns that Misjuns' resolutions could cost taxpayers an additional $35,000 for early camera removal. The city attorney reportedly indicated this cost during a previous meeting. The council will discuss both of Misjuns' resolutions during the general business section of Tuesday night’s meeting.
What does this mean for drivers in Lynchburg?
For drivers in Lynchburg, the immediate impact is that the Flock Safety cameras are currently offline. This means they are not actively collecting data, regardless of their physical presence. The ongoing debate centers on when these cameras will be physically removed from city streets. If Misjuns' resolution passes, cameras could be removed by October, much sooner than the April expiration date in the initial resolution. If Faraldi's view prevails, the cameras will remain in place but offline until April.
Drivers interested in understanding more about how these systems work can visit our /learn section. To see if other cameras are mapped in your area, check the /map.
The Lynchburg City Council will discuss these resolutions at its meeting on Tuesday evening. This meeting will determine the next steps for the Flock Safety cameras in the city, including their final removal timeline.