The Columbus Metropolitan Club covered the conversation on Flock Safety’s surveillance cameras Wednesday, hearing perspectives from Columbus City Councilmember Emmaunuel Remy, Columbus Division of Police Assistant Chief Nick Konves, American Civil Liberties Union Legislative Director Gary Daniels and Flock's Senior Director for Public Affairs Trevor Chandler.
The panel held a variety of views, discussing potential misuse of the Flock network by individual officers, use of the technology as a law enforcement tool and what legislation on the technology may look like.
One of the first topics discussed was new safeguards Flock has recently put in place. Chandler admitted the new safeguards are a direct result from conversations with police and stakeholders across the country.
“It's a direct result of the conversations going on around the country. There's no two ways around it. Flock has always been the most transparent law enforcement tool that has been used. We were the first ones to establish the 30 day standard data retention,” Chandler said. “We were the first ones to have these permanent audit logs that have uncovered a lot of conversations that need to be had. And so we've always been there.”
Related: Flock surveillance cameras are watching Columbus. Here's what to know
Chandler added that Flock is trying to approach conversations with concerned communities head-on.
“Have those tough conversations, understanding we're never gonna agree on everything, but work to continue to set the bar. And that's what Flock has done,” Chandler said. “We are now the only public safety technology that does what we do and we hope other people will follow suit.”
Daniels agreed that increased safeguards are always a good thing, but said Ohioans and Columbus residents need a lot more than police policies to protect their privacy.
“There's some good solid policies, I think, out there that do some good things, not everything. And policies are better than nothing, but policies, again, we're talking about very low-hanging fruit here,” Daniels said. “We need to have actual laws if we're not going to end this altogether.”
Columbus’ contract with Flock is up for renewal in December.
