Columbia police defend Flock cameras after technology aids downtown shooting arrests
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Columbia police say Flock technology played a major role in identifying suspects connected to an Oct. 31 downtown shooting.
In the early morning hours of Oct. 31, CPD responded to reports of gunfire near the intersection of North Eighth and East Walnut streets.
Officers found a 36-year-old woman with a gunshot wound to her back. She was taken to the hospital and is now in stable condition, according to a CPD press release.
The department says it used video footage to identify suspects and arrested seven people men and detained a 16-year-old boy in connection with the shooting.
Iseah Jackson, Demarquen Allen, Kelvin Clark, Demarkus Cain, De’Koryion White, Treyvale Cain-Raybon, Detravion Coats and the 16-year-old face charges related to unlawful possession or use of a weapon.
Columbia Police Chief Jill Schlude said during a news conference Friday morning that investigators had limited help from eyewitnesses. Only one person came forward with information about the shooting.
Columbia has used automated license plate readers through a company called Flock since early 2025. The readers capture vehicle license plate information and log it into a searchable system.
The city also uses Flock technology for live-view surveillance cameras, Schlude said.
Flock has faced controversy across the country over concerns about mass surveillance, data privacy and potential misuse of the technology by law enforcement.
Schlude said investigators used a combination of automated license plate readers, city-owned safety cameras and surveillance footage from private businesses.
Investigators used that footage to identify vehicles leaving the scene and develop leads. Schlude said the technology played a crucial role in the investigation, which led to eight arrests and the recovery of 11 firearms within six days of the shooting.
She said investigators had to rely heavily on video evidence because so few witnesses came forward.
“For probably a decade now, we've had issues with juries who don't want to convict just based on eyewitness testimony. It is found to be quite unreliable. And that's not a dig on humans. It's just, when we're under stress, we don't remember details, you know, in the best light. So we have to find other ways to provide evidence and frankly, evidence that is unbiased. A video camera is still photo that's unbiased evidence that can be used to prosecute the right people,” Schlude said.
The Columbia City Council is holding a public hearing about Flock cameras at 6 p.m. Monday at City Hall.
Columbia Mayor Barbara Buffaloe said she expects the discussion to address how the technology can help police investigate crimes while protecting residents' privacy.
She pointed to the quick turnaround in identifying suspects in the shooting and said access to the surveillance system is restricted and must be tied to a specific case number. She said that safeguard is intended to prevent unauthorized access and misuse of the technology.
“The conversation that we are having – but also across the nation is happening – is how to use tools to help investigate and prosecute people who are involved in these and these activities, but at the same time mean that you're maintaining privacy for your citizens,” Buffaloe said.
Columbia City Manager De’Carlon Seewood said he hopes Monday's public hearing will help dispel rumors and misconceptions about Flock cameras.
He said he expects CPD to provide more information about how the cameras are used in criminal investigations and what safeguards are in place. He added that the city is looking at other companies that offer similar technology if the council decides not to continue its contract with Flock.
“It's not necessarily about Flock. It's about the technology that we use. And how do we make sure that we have the right safeguards, that when we're using a technology that protects our community, but also protects our residents who may want to…feel safer and not feel like they're being surveyed?” Seewood said.
