Resident Suzie Hernandez urges pause on Flock cameras; council will await sheriff meeting

Suzie Hernandez raised privacy concerns during the public comment period about trial Flock surveillance cameras reportedly installed in Washington Terrace and asked whether the city had been notified of their placement.

"I believe in the local Sheriff Office ability to keep our community safe without the use of the mass surveillance equipment," Hernandez said, adding she was concerned about how the cameras were installed and whether Flock or the sheriff’s office performed the installation. She also stated her belief that "Flock is collecting profiles from the data that they are collecting." The council did not provide a formal response during public comment.

Council discussion later returned to the topic when Council Member Zunayid Z. Zishan asked City Manager Tom Hanson to clarify earlier remarks about the city’s options. Hanson said he was not sure of the county contract terms and noted that removing county cameras from the city could have cost implications; he recommended waiting for additional information. Mayor Mark C. Allen suggested postponing any formal request until after a planned sheriff’s meeting on Sept. 30 so councilmembers could learn more about how the county is using the cameras.

The council did not take formal action on camera removal at the Sept. 15 meeting; Hanson said the removal issue could be placed on a future agenda if at least three councilmembers request it.