LOUISIANA RESIDENTS VOICE STRONG OPPOSITION TO FLOCK CAMERAS AT PUBLIC HEARING

LOUISIANA, Missouri — Public opposition to Louisiana’s Flock Safety camera system dominated a city council hearing Monday night, as residents and council members

questioned the technology’s impact on privacy and surveillance.

Ward 4 Alderman Woodrow Polston said the hearing was held at the Louisiana High School auditorium to discuss the city’s use of Flock cameras. Polston previously introduced legislation that would terminate the program and remove the cameras altogether.

Louisiana Police Chief Josh Baker has offered an alternative proposal that would allow the cameras to remain in use while adding safeguards governing the system.

A representative of Flock Safety attended the hearing and provided information about how the cameras operate. Polston said members of the audience questioned the representative about the technology, but said some of the answers failed to satisfy those attending.

Ward 4 Councilman John Phillips raised concerns about Flock’s connections with other companies involved in surveillance and data collection.

Polston also questioned the use of artificial intelligence within the camera system, arguing that rapidly developing AI technology could eventually give such systems capabilities far beyond their current use and create additional privacy concerns.

According to Polston, public sentiment at Monday night’s hearing was overwhelmingly against continuing the program. He said every member of the public who spoke during the hearing voiced opposition to keeping the cameras.

No final decision was made Monday night.

The Louisiana City Council is expected to vote at a later meeting on whether to terminate the city’s Flock Safety contract or retain the system with additional safeguards.