Columbia Police Department asks for community feedback on Flock camera system

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Columbia Police Department has announced several public meetings to get the community’s feedback on the possible use of Flock cameras.

CPD has previously suggested using a camera system in Columbia called Fusus, which the City Council rejected following community pushback at a November 2022 council meeting. The council voted 4-3 against using the surveillance software.

Fusus was a software that allowed police to access public and business video footage. Two of the council members who voted against the use of Fusus – Pat Fowler and Andrea Waner -- in 2022 are no longer serving on the council. One councilman who voted in favor of using Fusus – Matt Pitzer – is no longer on the council.

According to Wednesday’s press release from CPD, “Flock Safety cameras record license plate numbers and vehicle details like make, model, and color, but they do not capture identifiable images of people or their faces and do not use facial recognition technology. These cameras are not designed for remote or automated traffic enforcement and will not be used for such purposes.”

CPD says in the release that it has drafted a policy for “appropriate uses of the Flock Safety system,” which will be presented at the meetings.

The meetings will occur:

Wednesday, Aug. 14

• 9 a.m. - Lange Middle School cafeteria, 2201 Smiley Lane
• Noon - City Hall Council Chambers, 701 E. Broadway
• 3 p.m. - Daniel Boone Regional Library, Friends Room, 100 W. Broadway
• 7 p.m. - Molly Thomas Bowden Policing Center, Community Room, 1204 International Drive  

Thursday, Aug. 15

• 9 a.m. - Crossing Church Student Center Room 320, 3615 Southland Drive
• Noon - City Hall Council Chambers, 701 E. Broadway
• 3 p.m. - Gentry Middle School Media Center, 4200 Bethel Street
• 7 p.m. - Boone Electric Community Room, 1413 Range Line Street

The city will also take feedback online at beheard.como.gov between Aug. 14-Sept. 10.

Flock has been used in nearby Missouri cities. A December case in Jefferson City cited the use of Flock cameras at a park and Callaway County deputies cited using the system in a probable cause statement from September 2023.