STEVENSON, Wash. — Skamania County has purchased and installed six Flock Safety security cameras throughout the area in an effort to boost community safety. Though the cameras aren't live yet, they are expected to be operational after the new year.
“These cameras are to benefit the community against the criminal element,” said Tracy Wyckoff, the undersheriff of Skamania County.
Wyckoff says he first learned about the cameras a few years ago. The county recently purchased six using $39,000 in county funds and grant money from the Washington State Sheriff's Association. The cameras will be used for a two-year period and then evaluated after that time to see if they are a good fit for the county.
The sheriff's office says the cameras will help law enforcement track down vehicles wanted in crimes or that are reported stolen by either them or other law enforcement agencies. The cameras capture the license plate, and if that plate is linked to a crime, law enforcement will be alerted.
Wyckoff says they can also be used to locate vehicles issued during an Amber or Silver Alert.
“Now, we have the ability that if they do drive through here, it'll detect that vehicle that they're searching for,” Wyckoff explained.
The cameras scan license plates from the rear as vehicles pass by, storing the information in a database for 30 days.
“These cameras are being used to catch people involved in homicide, major crimes and Amber Alerts, and things to protect our community — not spy on our community by any means,” Wyckoff added.
However, concerns have been raised about the potential for abuse and are the basis for a federal lawsuit filed in Virginia.
“What we're asking is that the court declare these are unconstitutional surveillance,” said Robert Frommer, a senior attorney with the Institute for Justice. Frommer’s law firm is challenging the installation of 172 Flock cameras in Norfolk, Virginia, arguing that they unfairly track drivers without warrant or oversight and violate their client's 4th amendment rights.
“My biggest concern is that these Flock cameras are set up throughout 5,000 communities throughout the United States, and they are pervasively and warrantlessly tracking the entire driving population,” Frommer added.
The lawsuit was filed in October.
Despite these concerns, Wyckoff maintains that the cameras are essential for law enforcement efforts.
“We can't be everywhere all around the county all the time, so this is another eye for us, not a spy. It's an eye for us to catch the criminal element and help our community and help save lives,” Wyckoff said.
Skamania County is not the only local law enforcement agency adopting Flock Safety cameras. The city of Woodburn, Ore., recently signed a two-year agreement worth $164,950.00 to purchase 25 cameras.