GREENE COUNTY — A recent traffic stop initiated by a Flock Safety camera alert has sparked a debate regarding the scope of surveillance technology in Greene County, drawing a sharp contrast between public assurances of "serious crime" enforcement and the reality of policing minor administrative infractions.
The controversy surfaced after a local resident, identified in correspondence as Linton News, questioned the Greene County Sheriff’s Office (GCSO) following an incident where a motorist was pulled with assistance from Flock Cameras for an expired license plate. According to the witness, deputies were "positioned and waiting" for the vehicle, indicating the stop was triggered by an automated alert rather than an officer observing a moving violation.
STORY NOTE:
"While stopping a driver for an expired license plate is indisputably lawful, the practice appears to undermine the original premise presented to the public. Through both official presentations and written correspondence, residents were assured that this AI surveillance network would be reserved for serious criminal activity rather than petty traffic enforcement."
In an email to Sheriff George Dallaire, Linton News argued this use of technology contradicts previous statements made by Prosecutor Jarrod Holtsclaw. We cited correspondence in which Holtsclaw assured the public that the cameras were intended for "high-priority public safety issues," such as child abductions, homicides, and stolen vehicles, rather than issuing traffic tickets.
If deputies are utilizing these cameras to flag and intercept vehicles solely for registration issues, it presents a discrepancy between the stated intent of the program and its actual application.
The Footage
The Sheriff’s Response: "Eyes on the Road"
In a detailed response, Sheriff Dallaire clarified the department's stance, drawing a distinction between automated ticketing systems and the investigative alerts provided by Flock.
"When I tell people Flock cameras do not write tickets, I am referring to the fact no one will get an electronic ticket for speeding or running a red light," Sheriff Dallaire stated. "The cameras do not have that capability."
However, the Sheriff confirmed that the system is indeed used to flag administrative violations. He explained that Flock cameras automatically generate alerts based on data from the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) and the National Crime Information Center (NCIC). These alerts cover a wide spectrum of issues, ranging from terrorists and missing children to suspended drivers and expired registrations.
Referring to the specific incident in question, Dallaire confirmed that a deputy received an automatic alert for an expired plate, located the vehicle, and conducted a stop.
"This alert came automatically to our deputies and they handled it appropriately," Dallaire wrote, noting that the driver was issued a verbal warning rather than a ticket. "Every driver has the obligation to register, carry valid insurance, and follow the traffic laws."
Balancing Safety and Surveillance
The exchange highlights a growing tension over the definition of "public safety." For critics, using powerful surveillance tools to police expired tags feels like "surveillance creep", a drift from tracking violent criminals to monitoring everyday citizens.
For the Sheriff, it is a matter of economics and efficiency. Dallaire described the Flock system as a vital "force multiplier" for a department patrolling 549 square miles with only 15 road deputies.
"It would cost Greene County approximately $85,000 for a new deputy... This gets this department one set of eyes on the road for 40 hours a week at best," Dallaire argued. "I feel in the interest of Public Safety it is money well spent."
While the Sheriff maintains that the cameras have been instrumental in solving several cases and providing evidence, the confirmation that they are actively scanning for administrative flaws like expired tags may leave some residents wondering if the digital net has been cast wider than they were led to believe.
And Remember, Big Brother is Watching You.
