"I Don't Call [That] Clear and Convincing": Sheriff Unconvinced by Survey Showing 77% Flock Opposition (Full Response of Sheriff In Article)

"I don’t call 324 people’s opinions clear and convincing." That was the opening line from Greene County Sheriff George Dallaire’s response to a recent survey showing widespread community skepticism toward Flock license plate cameras.

Dismissing the survey results as just "324 opinions" and attributing public privacy concerns to "disinformation," the Sheriff defended the Flock surveillance technology as a vital tool for crime victims. Sheriff Dallaire claims to have broad public support and that there is widespread misinformation.

We formally requested that the Sheriff host a public open house to present his facts directly to the community and allow residents to ask questions.

The Questions Posed to Sheriff Dallaire:

1. Does this clear evidence of widespread constituent disapproval alter your perspective on implementing, maintaining, or funding Flock cameras in Greene County?
2. How do you reconcile the continued deployment of mass surveillance with the clear privacy concerns and mandate expressed by your electors?

The Polling Data Presented

To highlight widespread public skepticism, advocates presented the Sheriff with data from two separate surveys:

• Linton News Poll (419 total votes): 77.3% of respondents opposed or remained deeply skeptical of the cameras. Another 12.6% supported them only with strict limits (such as a 7-day data retention maximum and a ban on out-of-county sharing), leaving just 10% in full support of unlimited use.
• WTHI-TV 10 Poll: 74% of respondents reported feeling "more spied on" by the technology, compared to just 15% who felt safer from crime.

Sheriff George Dallaire's Full Response

 Mr. Wence, I don’t call 324 people’s opinions clear and convincing, it’s 324 opinions. During my conversations with Greene County residents multiple time during any given week, I meet more residents who are not opposed to Flock cameras than those opposed to the cameras.

  I know people are divided on this issue, but this technology is not as intrusive as many are led to believe due to disinformation spread by anti-Flock groups. The number of things being stated are simply not true. We do not sell your information, we do not make any money from Flock, we cannot hack the vehicle or drivers’ electronic devices, we cannot clock your speed, we cannot see the driver, and we do not track you, we only see where a point on the highway you passed. The Sheriff’s Office intends on continuing to use this technology to help fight crime in Greene County.

  The one thing I find interesting in all these conversations about our rights is, no one ever speaks to the crime victims, or their families’ rights. 

Respectfully

George Dallaire

Our Response and Reccomendation

Dear Sheriff Dallaire,

Thank you for your prompt response and for sharing your perspective on the use of Flock cameras in Greene County.

Since you noted that much of the public's concern is rooted in disinformation and that your daily interactions reflect broader support for the technology, would you be willing to host a public open house or town hall meeting dedicated to this topic?

An open forum would provide the Sheriff's Office a direct platform to:

Directly address the misconceptions you mentioned regarding the technology's capabilities, data retention, and privacy safeguards.

Offer residents an opportunity to ask questions, share their concerns, and hear the facts directly from law enforcement in a constructive setting.

Given the high level of community interest in this issue, a public open house would be an excellent step toward ensuring residents are accurately informed about how this technology is utilized and governed in our county, and for you to hear directly from your electors.

Please let me know if you would be open to scheduling an event like this in the near future.

Respectfully,

Adam Wence