This is what they're capturing
Just in case you've been out of town, as I was last week, a Flock camera (a product of Flock Safety) is a specialized, solar-powered Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) used by law enforcement, businesses and neighborhoods. Instead of recording continuous video, they take still images of vehicles and use AI to log license plates, vehicle make, color and other unique details.
In layman's terms, here's how they work: when a car passes, the camera captures the time, date and location, creating a searchable “vehicle fingerprint” that notes things like roof racks, bumper stickers and dents.
On the plus side, Chetek PD can set up a custom alert in the event of a stolen vehicle, missing person or a suspect's car passes a Flock camera. When they do, law enforcement is informed immediately.
On the down side, it feels to some like an invasion of privacy or a sense that “Big Brother” is watching you. While police champion their use as a powerful tool for fighting crime, privacy rights groups argue that seemingly overnight a massive, nation-wide and warrant-less tracking network has been established without citizen approval.
And the water is muddied further when examples of how these cameras have been used improperly by law enforcement have recently come to light. Understandably, it can make for real tense conversations about the right or wrong of them.
During the Public Comment section of the meeting last week, two individuals came to the podium and in their allotted three minutes expressed their disapproval of the use of these cameras. One of the individuals in his statement went so far to accuse Chief Ron of signing a contract secretly without the Mayor's or Council's approval. In his opinion, he described it as an illegal act and asked the Council to nullify it immediately.
The thing with Public Comment is the Council is not allowed to address any of the concerns voiced as they are not on the agenda. It's not a discussion matter. It's that person stating for the record their opinion on whatever city business they are against or in favor of. So the meeting went on, discussion points E through O were talked through. It was during Point O that the meeting derailed. Chief asked Council President Terry Hight's permission to speak and the ire he felt of the criticism he had received at the beginning of the meeting finally erupted at the end of it. By his own admission, after the fact, it wasn't his best moment as he vented his spleen on those who had criticized him earlier in the meeting as well as myself and the rest of the council who he felt had “thrown him under the bus” for the installation of this system.
Setting the record straight
Without getting into the weeds of the “right” or “wrong” of the use of this technology, having sought guidance from a Wisconsin municipal attorney let me state clearly for the record: Chief Ambrozaitus acted within the authority he has been granted as head of his department.
Every year the Chief presents a budget that includes the expenditures for staff and equipment. Once approved by Council, it is the Chief's job to manage and expend the law enforcement equipment budget. Hence, the purchase of these cameras and their monitoring subscription service is within the scope of his authority and by no means a violation of Wisconsin law.
Since last Tuesday
If you have been following this matter on-line you are probably aware that on Friday, Chief issued an apology for his behavior and actions at that council meeting. Here it is in part:
“I want to apologize for my actions on Tuesday night at the monthly council meeting. My actions and accusations were very much uncalled for. I want to apologize to Mayor Martin, the council, people watching online, and the people in attendance for my actions. I did not act in a professional manner and I apologize for this...I bought the [Flock] system based on good intentions. I also based my decision on the good that they have done in Barron County over the past 5-6 years...Here is my promise to the citizens of Chetek, if I or any member of my department misuses the Flock system in any way, I will be the first to stand by you and hold that officer accountable for his or her actions...”
I appreciate Chief's statement and take him at his word that he sincerely regrets how he conducted himself at last week's council meeting. We have since talked privately during which he reiterated to me again his regrets. The Council and I will continue to assess this matter internally but for now the Flock cameras will remain in operation. We remain committed to transparency, responsible stewardship of public funds and ensuring that all City actions comply with applicable law. Wherever you stand on this matter, we appreciate your engagement and encourage respectful, fact-based discussion as we continue to do our best to serve this city we all call home.
