SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — The city of Springfield is renewing its contract with license plate reader technology company Flock.
City leaders approved an amendment to the two-year contract that adds new oversight requirements for the system.
"Our responsibility to the community, their privacy and their constitutional rights should always stay the same. So it's not blocking them. It's not stopping them from doing anything. It's saying, 'Hey, just give us a report,'" said Alderman Shawn Gregory.
Alderman Shawn Gregory introduced an amendment requiring the Springfield Police Department to provide annual reports on the camera system, including where cameras are located and any reported misuse. But Deputy Chief Andrew Dodd said some of those reporting requirements could be difficult to meet.
"My concern with the misuse would be within seven days to be able to present this to you guys. I don't know how much information we would have," said Deputy Chief Andrew Dodd.
Despite those concerns, several council members said they still see value in the technology but remain uneasy about the company behind it.
"I am deeply concerned with Flock as a company, and we've had that conversation. So deeply concerned. And not very comfortable with it," said Alderwoman Erin Conley.
From concerns about facial recognition to fears of tracking people across the state, many residents said they worry bad actors could abuse the technology. Deputy Chief Dodd said the department only uses the cameras to recover stolen vehicles and investigate other crimes.
"Within the past 30 days, the top 10 searches in Flock were motor vehicle theft, 1,243 searches; weapons offenses, 730; and hit-and-run accidents," said Dodd.
The new requirements mean the City Council will receive reports detailing how the camera system is being used and work closely with the police department to monitor any misuse or policy violations.
In a statement, Flock told WAND News the cameras capture point-in-time images of vehicles in public view. The company said the system does not use facial recognition or collect personal information such as names, phone numbers or home addresses.
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