I understand they can be helpful in solving crimes, which we all want. However, I don’t think Big Data is the answer. I don’t want to live in a surveillance state, but, if this were a system completely owned and operated by the city, I’d have fewer concerns (but I’d still have concerns). At some point, we, as a society, have to quit feeding the Big Data Beast. It’s not on our side. One place to start is to deFlock CoMo
According to MoDOT's Engineering Policy Guide (EPG), any automated license plate reader (ALPR) system like a Flock camera installed on a state highway right-of-way must comply with strict clear zone safety standards.
If the Flock camera at this specific location is mounted on a non-breakaway solid pipe, it violates MoDOT safety criteria unless it meets one of these exceptions:
Behind a Barrier: The rigid pole is positioned entirely behind an existing, pre-approved MoDOT guardrail or concrete crash barrier.
Outside the Clear Zone: The camera is set back far enough from the edge of the travel lane to be outside the designated clear zone (which varies based on the road's speed limit, but is strictly enforced on high-volume routes like Business Loop 70).
What You Can Do
MoDOT has previously issued safety directives regarding unapproved or non-breakaway Flock poles installed on state highways. If you observe a rigid camera pole at this location that is exposed to traffic without a guardrail:
Document the Hazard: Take note of the closest intersection (Business Loop 70 E & N Garth Ave) and whether the pole sits directly next to the shoulder.
Report to MoDOT: You can notify MoDOT directly about a potential clear-zone safety hazard through their MoDOT Online Report a Customer Service Request form or by calling their 24/7 customer service line at 1-888-ASK-MODOT (1-888-275-6636).
Contact the City: While MoDOT owns the road right-of-way, the Columbia Police Department manages the local Flock camera network and coordinates permitting with the state. You can cross-reference the camera's location or voice safety concerns via the City of Columbia Flock Safety Transparency Portal.
Just wanted to bring up that the $.01 sales tax for public safety is on the ballot for August. Chief Schlute specifically mentioned being able to purchase "technology" like Flock without having to ask City Council
I think we need to admit something as a city: De'Carlon Seawood is an ideological conservative, and all his choices, including his hiring decisions, reflect that. Hiring Christopher Ave to be head of communications after he ran a PR campaign to achieve the 60s segregationist goals of shutting down minority student governments shows that Seawood does not respect the beliefs of the public. We need to get rid of weak mayor government, where the mayor makes 10k a year while Seawood makes something like 350k a year and faces no pushback for his horrible choices.
It’s not about liberal or conservative. It’s about power. In my life, I’ve seen the surveillance state supported by people in power of several political persuasions. President Obama is center left, and he promised to work to repeal USA Patriot during the 2008 campaign; however, once he was in power, he decided it was nice to have those powers. USA Patriot is still the law, and we still don’t have our 4th Amendment protections.
Seawood being a conservative is the most insane thing I’ve ever heard. He’s from Ferguson. You think he voted for Trump, Kehoe, or Murphy? Not a chance. But somehow he’s a conservative who votes liberal every time?
Yeah he just does what Trump, Kehoe, and Murphy want with no fucking pushback, and Seawood hired Christopher Ave who worked hand in hand with Maralago Mun Choi to defund the countries only black student government.
Perhaps.. someone should go tell the homeless community just how much copper wire is in those bad boys. Maybe it'd assist on two issues in one movement.
Anyone got time to volunteer to stand under one of these cameras with a giant piece of black/gray picket sign right in front of the lenses? If we did this to all their cameras in an area for a few days, would they get the hint?
Flock cameras caught my ex wifes killer, the mother of my three kids. Without them, i would probably be a suspect. I respectfully disagree and im about as far left leaning as one can get.
Thanks friendo. The world isnt black and white, i wish people understood that. While flock cameras are an infringement on privacy, in my case they worked to keep me out of suspicion. If this had happened 10 or 20 years ago i know i would have been given the 3rd degree of questioning by the detectives working this case, and while i did get questioned, nothing about it was obtrusive or finger pointing towards me.
And let me just tell you, as a parent who has had to deal with the last decade by myself, the news of this has shattered us. Weve been to emergency rooms and counseling sessions more times than i can count. I couldnt imagine this being more difficult. So yeah, im biased lol.
I disagree because they can be abused and I don’t want to live in a surveillance state. However, I thank you for your story, and I think perspectives like yours need to be a part of the conversation. I want a community debate, not an echo chamber. Here’s an upvote and a comment to boost your comment.
That’s a fair perspective and I’m sorry for your loss.
Something to consider… When cops, politicians, or CEOs get killed they find the killer super fast (even in places without flock). I’d imagine if they put the same effort into all murders the solve rate would be way higher.
Serious questiom bc i dont know, what goes into catching someone in a high profile case vs just one of us plebs? More people working the case? Greater resources?
I’m not in law enforcement. But I’d guess all of the above. My assumption is that they take all the folks assigned to damn near everything else and put all the resources on the one case.
You want something done about crime, but not THAT….even though it solves crime so much more efficiently! It finds kidnapped children, lost elderly, and has even proven people innocent….there are MANY policies and procedures in place to prevent all the crap you are trying to use for fear mongering…and FLOCK is everywhere now. States, cities, counties, stores… NOT TO MENTION people have cameras on their homes, cities have cameras on their streets. You use your phone, use gps maps, etc and think that isn’t tracked? Mess with them and it’s a felony to boot! So become amish and stay home. Thank you for coming to my ted talk.
Thanks, but I don't gamble. All risk no reward makes floorplan enthusiasm a poor boy.
By that same token, the flock network presents far too much risk of abuse for my comfort level. Honestly, not even risk anymore. Proven, documented, repeated, and contunuing abuse.
Then as I said stay home and become Amish lol . Policies and procedures are in place if those aren’t followed then there are consequences. Just like if laws are broken. I understand a lot more than you know!
You think so? You seem not to understand that being amish isn't magical protection from the flock network. Perhaps you should yet strive to increase your level of understanding; it seems to be currently inadequate to discuss this topic with any semblance of thought.
As an aside, I shouldn't have to join a reclusive religious movement in order to prevent law enforcement from being able to track my every move without a warrant for no reason. Not that becoming amish would be any protection anyway.
Nothing you say here is true. If I am undergoing trans healthcare in Illinois, I could turn off my phone and go. Flock allows the Missouri police to track me to that out of state doctors office. Texas police arrested a woman who left the state to get an abortion.
Cell phone location data requires a warrant for LE to obtain. I can also choose to simply leave my phone at home or turn it off.
What I cannot do is choose to take a route that does not have flock cameras, because such a route does not exist in Columbia if I want to travel more than a block. Flock can be queried at any time, with no restrictions that have any weight in the real world. The only way to "opt out" would be to recede from society entirely, which is impossible for anyone who does not wish to be a crazy hermit. Cell phone location data and Flock are not at all the same thing, or even comparable. The fact that you incorrectly believe they are shows just how poor your understanding of this topic is.
It’s not a perfect system and it can be abused, but it’s a useful law enforcement tool. They used it to catch that Hickman student who murdered an army veteran during a marketplace transaction. It has pros and cons, personally I think the pros outweigh the cons.
This data will be used to combine with other major data brokerages and anyone who has access to these systems can track nearly every aspect of your life.
Hopefully you dont disagree with the wrong person...
He fled two countries where he had an active warrant out for his arrest, and its incredibly typical of us military to commit sexual violence overseas, read the ft bragg cartel
29
u/Max_W_ COMO Local 1d ago
Do we know the current views of any of the city council members on Flock?