The Marshall County Commissioners voted 2-1 on Tuesday, Oct. 6, to "bag and tag" the county's six Flock cameras, which means covering them with bags. GIANT fm reported that the commissioners kept the contract in place and paused the cameras' use until the new sheriff and prosecutor can write rules for them.
Who spoke at the meeting?
The special meeting heard from current Sheriff Matt Hassel, Sheriff-elect Les McFarland, County Prosecutor Nelson Chipman, Prosecutor-elect Joe Morris and a representative of the Institute for Justice. Then 19 county residents spoke. Six spoke in favor of the license plate readers and 13 opposed them, and two letters of support were added to the minutes.
Why did the commissioners keep the contract?
Commissioner Adam Faulstich made the motion. He said he does not want the county's cameras used until rules are in place or the state acts. He prefers that the cameras stay under county control with the contract intact, and he said keeping the contract keeps control of those six cameras. He also acknowledged the contract may become a legal battle.
Commissioner Stan Klotz voted no on bagging the cameras. He said the county should hear from its elected officials before acting. "This is not for or against Flock." Klotz also said a large amount of drug trafficking has been intercepted in Marshall County because of the cameras, and he does not want those drugs on county streets.
Commissioner Jesse Bohannon seconded the motion. He said he expects state legislators to drag their feet. He cited an Oklahoma court case in which Flock camera evidence was suppressed, and five Indianapolis officers who were disciplined for misusing the cameras. He also noted that the county council voted to defund the cameras, and he believes that decision is final.
What changes for drivers?
The cameras are covered, not removed. The contract stays in place, and their use is paused until the new sheriff and prosecutor write rules for how the cameras are used and how data is stored. GIANT fm does not say when those rules will be finished.
Faulstich said the county has no authority over cameras run by other towns and cities in the county. Those cameras are not affected by this vote. Klotz said the state legislature is expected to take up the issue next year.
County Attorney Sean Surrisi suggested not bagging the cameras right away, so the county could talk with Flock about the impact. GIANT fm does not say whether a second motion, to keep the bags on until the commissioners vote on the decision, passed.
To see where cameras are near you, check the camera map. For background on how the systems work, read how plate readers work.