County considers new surveillance camera purchase

A sheriff’s office request for two license plate reading Flock Safety Falcon Cameras was met with skepticism from Chairman Chris Dockery at a recent county work session. Not because of budgetary issues, but because of matters of privacy.
“It's not so much the money as I'm just not a big supporter of cameras everywhere watching everybody,” Dockery told The Nugget. “I’m just not.”
Those cameras, which were requested by Sheriff Stacy Jarrard, are designed to capture photos of all passing vehicles and license plate numbers.
“The system stores these photos, which can be searched by date, time, make and model of the vehicle,” stated the proposal submitted by the Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Office. “The cameras will be set at strategic locations within the county to capture the license plates of the vehicles that pass. This information will be used in the criminal investigations of crimes which are committed in those areas.”
That request sparked a conversation about the nature of such technology.
When talking with The Nugget, Jarrard said the cameras could be a valuable tool when it comes to law enforcement.
“It’s basically just a form of technology that’s helping to solve crime,” he said.
Any motorist that drives by the camera will have a photo taken of their vehicle which will then be sent to the Flock system.
“It’s stored for 30 days,” said Jarrard.
Dockery said he’s not in favor of that kind of surveillance.
“The sheriff wants it to help find people who may be wanted or if there's a suspect,” he said. “… I always have my reservations about any kind of government surveillance, the government watching people.”
He added that he’s concerned about the potential misuse of such technology as well.
“I guess the big concern is how do you make sure that's not abused?” he said. “How do you make sure it's being used for the right reason?”
In response Jarrard said that the system would be used only to catch law breakers.
“We’re not watching you,” he said. “But we are watching you if you’re violating the law.”

FOCUSING ON FLOCK

Jarrard added that the system has recently led to local arrests and solved cases by utilizing Hall County cameras. This included thefts at B & M Metals and Old School House Antiques.
Currently the University of North Georgia police department is reportedly using these camera as well.
“I think it would be foolish not to tie into a system that solves criminal cases for victims,” Jarrard said.
If approved the camera purchase will total $10,700. This includes the two cameras as well as 24 months of Flock system service. Jarrard said the funding would come from property seized at a recent arrest.
While Dockery was a vocal critic of the purchase, he added that there is likely support from the members of the Board of Commissioners.
One of those supporters would be Rhett Stringer who when polled by The Nugget said he would be will be a definite yes.
“I look forward to hearing updates of their success in the months ahead and how many bad guys they can help get off our streets,” he said.
Fellow Commissioner Jeff Moran echoed that sentiment.
“I personally have no problem with these type of camera's. It is passive surveillance and I don't feel my privacy will be compromised any more than every other camera that we walk in front of throughout the day, and much less than cell phone tracking, or Google and Alexa listening to me,” he said. “I feel if these cameras can help catch a criminal, solve a crime, or possibly save a life, that they are worth having.”
Though the matter will most likely come to a vote at a future county meeting nothing had been placed on the June 21 agenda as of press-time.