City Council approves negotiating deal for Flock Safety cameras
NEWARK − Flock Safety cameras will be installed in Newark if the city and company can agree on terms for a 2-year contract.
Newark City Council authorized entering into a contract with Flock without competitive bidding at its Nov. 21 meeting, two weeks after appropriating state grant money to purchase the system and the cameras. The grant was $128,400. The cameras cost $2,850 each for the first year and $2,500 per camera after that.
The recent council vote was 10-0, but the Nov. 7 vote to appropriate the funds was 7-2. Council members Jonathan Lang (R-5th Ward) and Beth Bline (R-2nd Ward) voted against the appropriation. Some residents also spoke against the purchase.
Newark police have said the cameras would assist law enforcement. Flock Safety has recommended 26 cameras for Newark. The locations have not yet been determined.
Law Director Tricia Moore said, “I do take the public’s concern about Flock very seriously and discussions will follow. Ultimately, I think it’s good for our city and I think we’re going to appreciate their help. We’ve seen good things happen in Heath. Good things can happen from these cameras.”
The camera system uses automated license plate reader technology, snapping images that are run through a national crime database. Police can be immediately alerted if a stolen car passes a camera.
Newark Safety Director Tim Hickman told council in October the value of the cameras had already been proven when police received a shots fired call and had a vehicle description. Newark police contacted Heath, which recently installed its Flock cameras.
"Heath PD checked their Flock system and they said that car just went through our jurisdiction on (Ohio) 79 South, and they found the vehicle and the person," Hickman said. "It was the shooter on 30th Street. So, it works. There’s living proof.”
Lang said he doesn't want to waste time or money bidding the purchase, but has concerns about the company monitoring Newark residents and then selling its data for profit. He also said Flock would choose the 26 camera locations.
“I still have reservations about moving forward with Flock and I’m hoping we can resolve some of this," Lang said. "I do hope we’re able to negotiate some better terms.
"I haven’t heard anything back from Flock yet as far as their receptiveness to any changes we want to make with the contract. I’m holding my breath there."
Bline said previously her constituents told her they fear a loss of privacy and view it as government going too far. She said she hopes the city can negotiate a better contract than the one that has been proposed.
Councilman Spencer Barker (R-at large) said, “I do support Flock. I do understand the concerns. The law director and I have talked at length about those, and I’m very confident in her ability through contract negotiations, with the safety and service directors.”
Newark resident Matt Migliorisi spoke to council about his concerns at the last two meetings.
“I understand why many on council want this," Migliorisi said at the Nov. 21 meeting. "I agree with the idea in principal. Several people I know have their own private cameras. I myself have considered this.
“What we’re about to enter into with this company is far more complicated than that. The Flock system has a long history of being abused and indeed, the Flock company itself shares a similarly dubious track record.”
Migliorisi said the company has had privacy concerns, potential data breaches, and contract language that absolves them of any liability. He also claimed the cameras don't reduce crime and have misidentified vehicles.
“The more you look, the more the cons outweigh the pros," Migliorisi said. "The bottom line is these systems have been proven to be faulty, subject to abuse and ultimately not very effective.”
Councilman Doug Marmie (R-6th Ward) expressed concerns at previous meetings, but ultimately voted for both of the resolutions.
“I’m in support of the system," Marmie said. "I believe the cameras will be beneficial for law enforcement. It will deter criminals from coming into our community. I am concerned about the safety of the data. We’re not safeguarding the data, and there’s a clause in the contract that holds them harmless.”
Newark has said it will keep the data for 30 days. The law director said Flock will not be allowed to sell Newark's data, or use it in any way identifying Newark. It will only use the information to improve their own services and programs, she said.
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This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Newark City Council approves negotiating deal for Flock Safety cameras
