Chatham County Police launches Flock camera transparency portal

CHATHAM COUNTY, Ga. (WTOC) - The Chatham County Police Department has launched a Flock camera transparency portal, becoming the first law enforcement agency in the county to do so.

The portal gives residents access to information about the department’s use of the Flock camera network, including the number of cameras deployed, what they do and do not track, and the number of searches police have conducted. Users can also download records of recent searches conducted by CCPD.

How the system works

The AI-powered cameras capture photos of vehicles and license plates. Law enforcement uses that data as a tool in investigations.

Chief Jeffery Hadley said the decision to make the information public was straightforward.

“I think we made the decision in about five minutes,” Hadley said. “You know, we don’t have anything to hide. I think we as an agency have always been open and transparent.”

Hadley compared the technology’s impact on law enforcement to that of DNA evidence.

“It is a game changer,” he said. “To some extent I would put it on par with DNA.”

Concerns over misuse and surveillance

Flock cameras have been a topic of debate in recent months. There have been incidents in Georgia where officers and deputies were fired and arrested for misuse of Flock data. Some residents have also raised constitutional concerns about surveillance.

Savannah resident Sydney Pashenee, who opposes Flock camera use, said transparency measures do not fully address those concerns.

“It doesn’t prevent what’s already been done,” Pashenee said. “It just reprimands them after the fact, which doesn’t really solve the issue — that is a concern with citizens and their information.”

What the portal includes

The portal also features success stories from the Flock system, including cases involving burglary suspects and missing individuals. Hadley said he has full confidence in his officers to use the system as intended and stands by the program’s legality.

“We’re not just sitting back running people’s plates and looking for people’s cars for no good reason,” Hadley said. “It really just is an invaluable tool and a game changer in law enforcement.”

Hadley said he hopes the portal will put residents at ease.

“If we can provide any level of comfort or a way for people to understand the utilization of the system, what we are using it for, and that it’s in the best interest for public safety for people in Chatham County, then that’s a good thing — that’s a win,” he said.

Data collected from the cameras is deleted every 30 days, per state law. CCPD also audits each search once a month to ensure proper use of the system.