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Ohio Grand Jury Declines to Indict Man Accused of Destroying Flock Surveillance Camera

Ohio Grand Jury Declines to Indict Man Accused of Destroying Flock Surveillance Camera

A grand jury in Ohio has refused to bring felony charges against Cody Morelock, a Clermont County man accused of destroying a Flock automatic license plate reader (ALPR). In June, Morelock was arrested by police in Union Township, a Cincinnati suburb, after being accused of removing bolts from an ALPR pole, causing it to topple and destroy the surveillance camera and its solar panel. The prosecution presented evidence including surveillance footage from multiple nearby cameras and information from a credit card and customer rewards account, which reportedly identified Morelock. Despite what appeared to be strong evidence, the grand jury declined to indict Morelock, leading to all charges being dropped. This outcome is notable given the general expectation that prosecutors can typically secure indictments from grand juries.
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Lufkin Police Officer Arrested, Another Placed on Leave Amid Flock Camera Misuse Investigation

Lufkin Police Officer Arrested, Another Placed on Leave Amid Flock Camera Misuse Investigation

Zachary Anthony Klein, an 11-year veteran of the Lufkin Police Department (LPD), was arrested by the Texas Rangers and booked into the Angelina County Jail on charges of abuse of official capacity and tampering with a government record. This arrest follows an investigation into his potential misuse of Flock Automated License Plate Reader technology. A second LPD officer has also been placed on administrative leave as the investigation into their use of the technology continues. The LPD initiated an audit into the use of Flock cameras after becoming aware of potential issues and requested the assistance of the Texas Rangers for an independent investigation. Lufkin Police Chief Travis Brazil has announced the suspension of Flock camera use within the department during the ongoing investigations.
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Massachusetts Police Departments Face Scrutiny Over Misuse of Flock Safety License Plate Reader System

Massachusetts Police Departments Face Scrutiny Over Misuse of Flock Safety License Plate Reader System

Several police departments in Massachusetts are under increased scrutiny regarding their use of Flock Safety's automated license plate reader (ALPR) system. The Lynn Police Department has placed two officers on paid administrative leave and initiated an internal investigation after an audit revealed a 'concerning pattern in some searches' within their Flock Safety system. Access to the cameras has since been restricted to supervisory personnel. This follows similar incidents in other Massachusetts towns. The New Bedford Police Department suspended its Flock camera use after an officer was accused of using the system to track her ex-girlfriend. In Stow, police disabled their Flock cameras and an officer faces termination and criminal charges for allegedly using police databases, including Flock cameras, to obtain information about someone he knew personally. Additionally, the town of Hopkinton is terminating its contract with Flock Safety due to 'statutory deficiencies' making the agreement unlawful under M...
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Massachusetts Towns Terminate Flock Safety Contracts Amid Data Privacy and Security Concerns

Massachusetts Towns Terminate Flock Safety Contracts Amid Data Privacy and Security Concerns

Two more Massachusetts towns, East Bridgewater and Grafton, have announced the termination of their contracts with Flock Safety, a company providing automated license plate reader (ALPR) technology. East Bridgewater Police Chief Michael Jenkins cited "concerns regarding data practices and security" and community feedback as reasons for discontinuing the program. Grafton Police Chief Neil A. Minardi also confirmed the deactivation of all Flock devices due to growing community concerns and incidents of vandalism and theft. These decisions follow similar actions by other Massachusetts communities, including Hopkinton, which terminated its contract after a legal review found deficiencies, and Lynn, where two police officers were placed on administrative leave following an audit of ALPR searches. New Bedford temporarily halted its use of Flock after an officer was accused of misusing the system to track an ex-girlfriend. Salem and Framingham have also ended their relationships with Flock Safety, with Cambridge ...
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Former Kenosha County Deputy Charged with Felony Misconduct for Misusing Camera System

Former Kenosha County Deputy Charged with Felony Misconduct for Misusing Camera System

Frank McGrath, a former Kenosha County deputy, is facing two felony counts of misconduct in public office. The charges stem from allegations that McGrath misused the Flock camera system to track his then-girlfriend's license plate up to 17 times while he was off duty. This incident led to his resignation from the Kenosha County Sheriff's Department. The Flock camera system is designed for law enforcement purposes, primarily to aid in criminal investigations and track vehicles associated with crimes. Misusing such a system for personal reasons constitutes a serious breach of public trust and official conduct. The investigation into McGrath's actions revealed a pattern of unauthorized access and use of sensitive law enforcement technology for personal surveillance, highlighting potential vulnerabilities in system oversight and accountability within the department.
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Texas Rangers' Historical Sidearms Reflect Evolution of Law Enforcement Firearms

Texas Rangers' Historical Sidearms Reflect Evolution of Law Enforcement Firearms

The Texas Rangers, a unique law enforcement unit established in 1823, have historically carried a diverse array of sidearms, reflecting the evolution of firearm technology and the freedom given to Rangers in choosing their personal weapons. Initially, Rangers used muzzle-loading horse pistols. The adoption of repeating firearms began with the Colt Patterson, followed by the development of the Walker Colt in collaboration with Captain Samuel Walker, which became the official gun of Texas. The Civil War era saw a transition to cartridge firearms, with the Colt Single Action Army becoming a staple. In the modern era, the Rangers have adopted various SIG Sauer models, including the P220, P226, P229, and more recently, the P320 and Staccato P. The entire Texas Department of Safety is set to transition to the SIG Sauer M17 by 2025.
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Two Lynn, Massachusetts, Officers Placed on Leave Following Audit of Flock License Plate Reader System

Two Lynn, Massachusetts, Officers Placed on Leave Following Audit of Flock License Plate Reader System

Two police officers in Lynn, Massachusetts, have been placed on paid administrative leave after an audit of the department's license plate reader technology, including systems from Flock Safety, revealed a 'concerning pattern in some searches.' The Lynn Police Department uses these license plate readers to assist in locating wanted individuals, investigating crimes, and searching for missing persons. The audit was initiated on August 12 with the implementation of Flock Safety’s Audit Assist tool, designed to review system usage. This tool identified anomalies in searches that prompted further review, leading to the internal affairs investigation and the officers' administrative leave. The department has not identified the officers or provided specific details about the nature of the problematic searches, but confirmed that none involved immigration enforcement. In response, access to the Flock system has been restricted to supervisory personnel at the rank of lieutenant or higher while the department revie...
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Quincy Police Department Limits Access to Flock License Plate Camera Data Amid Misuse Concerns

Quincy Police Department Limits Access to Flock License Plate Camera Data Amid Misuse Concerns

The Quincy Police Department has restricted access to Flock Safety’s license plate camera platform to only 50 out of its approximately 240 officers. This decision follows growing concerns and reports of misuse of the surveillance technology across Massachusetts. Searches conducted by Quincy police are now audited and must be linked to an investigation with a case number, and confined to the city’s borders. This move comes as other departments in the state, such as Wellesley, have ended their pilot programs or contracts with Flock Safety due to similar issues. The broader context includes multiple investigations into police officers for misusing the technology, including cases of alleged stalking and unauthorized tracking of individuals. Critics argue that the technology facilitates widespread sharing of personal data and intrusive searches without warrants, and some departments have cooperated with federal agents for immigration purposes.
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Ohio Grand Jury Declines to Indict Man for Destroying Flock Camera Amid Growing Public Backlash

Ohio Grand Jury Declines to Indict Man for Destroying Flock Camera Amid Growing Public Backlash

A grand jury in Clermont County, Ohio, has declined to indict Cody Morelock, a man charged with felony vandalism for allegedly destroying a Flock automatic license plate reader camera. Police in Union Township, a Cincinnati suburb, accused Morelock of disassembling the camera, its support pole, and solar panel on June 13. Investigators identified Morelock using surveillance footage from other cameras and information linked to a credit card and customer rewards account. The estimated damage was over $1,000. Morelock was released on a $10,000 bond, but the grand jury's decision resulted in the dismissal of the charges. This incident occurs amidst increasing public resistance to Flock cameras, with dozens of units being vandalized nationwide, and a loosely organized 'De-Flock America Night' event promoted on social media for Halloween.
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Will County Board Approves Flock Cameras in Multiple Suburban Areas

Will County Board Approves Flock Cameras in Multiple Suburban Areas

The Will County Board has approved the installation of Flock license plate reading cameras in several suburban areas, including Mokena, Crete, Manhattan, Frankfort, Naperville, and Wilmington. This decision follows the recent adoption of stricter rules and policies for the technology by these municipalities. The approval comes amidst ongoing concerns regarding the potential misuse of these cameras. For example, a former Wisconsin sheriff's deputy has been charged with using Flock cameras to track a co-worker for personal reasons, and an officer in suburban Itasca was dismissed for allegedly misusing the technology. Despite these concerns, the Will County Board has moved forward with expanding the use of these cameras in an effort to enhance public safety and law enforcement capabilities.
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Ohio Grand Jury Declines to Indict Man Accused of Destroying Flock ALPR Camera

Ohio Grand Jury Declines to Indict Man Accused of Destroying Flock ALPR Camera

A grand jury in Ohio has refused to bring felony charges against Cody Morelock, a Clermont County man accused of destroying a Flock automatic license plate reader (ALPR) camera. In June, police in Union Township, a Cincinnati suburb, arrested Morelock, alleging he removed bolts from an ALPR pole, causing it to topple and destroy the surveillance camera and its solar panel. Despite what prosecutors considered 'iron-clad' evidence, including surveillance footage from multiple nearby cameras, credit card information, and a customer rewards account, the grand jury declined to indict Morelock. Consequently, all charges against him have been dropped.
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Former Apache Junction Officer Resigns After Misusing Flock Cameras to Track Wife; Dispatchers Disciplined

Former Apache Junction Officer Resigns After Misusing Flock Cameras to Track Wife; Dispatchers Disciplined

A former Apache Junction police officer, Joshua McDaniel, resigned after admitting to misusing Flock camera technology to track his wife. Internal affairs records obtained by Arizona’s Family Investigates detail the incident, which occurred on April 19. McDaniel used his own computer to locate his wife in Casa Grande and subsequently contacted police there for a welfare check. He also enlisted the help of two telecommunications officers, who searched the system for his wife's license plate. Apache Junction Police Chief Mike Pooley confirmed McDaniel's misuse of the cameras and stated that an internal investigation was immediately launched, leading to McDaniel's administrative leave and eventual resignation. The records indicate McDaniel was experiencing marital issues and was concerned about locating his children, leading him to exercise 'poor judgment.' McDaniel and his wife have since divorced. The two dispatchers involved were also disciplined, receiving 30-hour and 40-hour suspensions, respectively, th...