Trustee says Flock camera shut off
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A Flock Safety camera outside Fredonia Village Hall was shut off and its removal was requested, according to Fredonia Trustee Ben Brauchler.
Brauchler devoted his report at Monday's Fredonia Board of Trustees meeting to some news that should hearten the many opponents of the Flock program.
"As I understand it, the (Chautauqua County) district attorney (Jason Schmidt) has requested that Flock remove the camera in front of Village Hall," Brauchler said. "That request is pending. The camera is still there, but it is currently apparently disconnected."
That camera, looming above the corner of Church and Temple streets, has irritated numerous residents. They cite concerns about privacy and improper data sharing. One resident, Patrick Sexton, went so far as to declare he does not drive through that intersection since the Flock camera was placed there.
Brauchler continued, "There are two other cameras in this immediate vicinity but they're not on village property and (Schmidt) tells us we don't have any jurisdiction over them. Perhaps the town of Pomfret (board), when they address this Wednesday night, will be able to do something about it, with any luck."
Schmidt's District Attorney's Office contracted with Flock Safety about a year ago to install the cameras around the county as a crime-fighter. The DA defended the program in comments to the OBSERVER last week, and also did so at a September Fredonia trustees meeting.