Rep. Burlison warns Flock cameras could be used to track law-abiding citizens
What do you think?
Southwest Missouri Congressman Eric Burlison is raising concerns about government surveillance as Joplin continues using Flock Safety license plate-reading cameras.
“Imagine if Flock cameras had existed during COVID lockdowns,” Burlison wrote on social media. He said governments could have used the technology to identify people attending large gatherings, visiting beaches, going to church or violating other restrictions.
“If Flock is all about increasing public safety, the people pushing it should be willing to put one in their own homes,” Burlison wrote. “You have nothing to hide, right?”
The criticism comes after Joplin police disclosed that a former officer improperly used the city’s Flock system in December. The department placed the officer on administrative leave, conducted an internal investigation and asked the Missouri State Highway Patrol to determine whether any laws were broken.
Joplin police said an audit found no additional misuse by other department employees. The department subsequently announced monthly system audits, updated policies and increased Internal Affairs oversight.
The city operates 12 Flock cameras, which photograph license plates and record vehicle characteristics such as color, make and model. Police say the cameras do not use facial recognition and are not used to issue traffic citations.
Joplin Police Chief Richard Pearson has defended the system as an investigative tool that has helped officers locate criminal suspects and missing juveniles.
