'There needs to be transparency': Flock cameras debate draws strong reaction at City Hall
Milwaukee (CBS 58) -- The debate over Flock cameras took center stage Thursday night during a Milwaukee Fire and Police Commission meeting at City Hall, where residents spoke out about privacy concerns, police oversight, and public safety.
Public comment drew strong reactions from community members, with some calling for the city to stop using the automated license plate reader technology altogether.
“I am here to oppose flock technology which is an aspect that oppressive mass surveillance apparatus. Flock technology is a form of social control and does not address the needs of Milwaukee," Nickolas X Doherty with Milwaukee Turners said.
The meeting comes months after former Milwaukee police officer Josue Ayala was accused of improperly using the camera system to search license plates nearly 200 times to monitor his ex. Ayala has since resigned.
Alderman Alex Brower said the case raised new concerns about how the technology is monitored and who has access to the system.
“That's another concern we have is the misuse by individual officers or individuals who have access to this,” Brower said. “There needs to be safeguards, there need to be reviews, there needs to be transparency and proper training.”
Brower is one of four alderpersons who sent a letter to Milwaukee's Fire and Police Commission raising concerns about the cameras.
“How is that information being used and more importantly who is that information that flock has being shared with,” Brower said.
Milwaukee police defended the technology during the meeting, saying the cameras remain an important investigative tool when used properly.
“Used correctly they are a valuable tool, and this department will not back away from that position because we really believe in it,” Milwaukee Police Chief of Staff Heather Hough said.
Milwaukee Police Department Risk Manager James Lewis said he led an overhaul of the department’s audit system.
The system is now reviewed every month and looks for unusual activity, such as users running a high number of searches tied to one case or other questionable patterns. Lewis said the department also removed access for two officers after finding some users were not properly labeling their searches.
Several Wisconsin cities, including Oshkosh and Appleton, have also cut ties with Flock.
Hough also addressed concerns about the misuse case involving Ayala.
“That member caused harm to this department, we hold them accountable for that behavior, and we will not stand behind it,” Hough said. “So, we agree with the public and we agree with the comments here that the misuse should never occur.”