Red Bay Proposes Limits on Flock Camera Use
Draft rules require case numbers, seven-day data deletion and monthly audits, but residents still question privacy and vendor control
TL;DR: Red Bay’s proposed Flock policy would restrict searches, data sharing and retention. Residents pressed for clearer public access to logs at an Oct. 5 hearing. Final approval was done on Oct. 7.
Red Bay has proposed new limits on its Flock Safety license plate cameras, pairing police access with case numbers, short data retention and monthly audits. The draft follows public pushback over privacy and who controls the information collected.
The city released the proposal in September. At an Oct. 5 public hearing, covered by The Red Bay News, residents continued to question data security and public access to records. The new policy was approved by the City Council during its regular Oct. 7 meeting.
The dispute began after cameras were installed on Golden Road and Highway 19. In August, the council ordered them deactivated until a policy was established. Police Captain Kyle Gober defended the cameras as a tool that could help investigators trace vehicles linked to crimes while respecting constitutional rights.
Under the published draft policy, access would be limited to the police chief, criminal investigator and narcotics investigator. Searches would require a reason and case number. Personal or political surveillance and the sale of data would be banned.
Outside agencies would need an active criminal case number to receive data. Agencies with access would require city approval, reviewed quarterly.
Records unrelated to an audit or investigation would be deleted within seven days. Evidence tied to an active investigation or pending case could be retained separately.
The council’s police committee would review search and sharing logs monthly. Review minutes would remain public, with open investigations and case numbers redacted.
Vendor contracts and added features would require council approval. Misuse could lead to suspension or dismissal and would have to be reported to the Alabama Criminal Justice Information Center.
Public access to the logs themselves remained a sticking point at the October hearing. Resident Drew Jackson asked the council to state clearly that both the minutes and logs would be public, subject to redactions.
Police Chief Janna Jackson said the revised rules require a case number before a vehicle search. Councilman Brad Bolton described the proposal as a compromise between privacy concerns and police needs.
Resident Ed Massey questioned how much control the city has over Flock’s software and data practices.
“That lack of control is scary,” Massey said.
The City’s new policy may be found at THIS LINK.
