BROOKINGS (9-23-26) — On Tuesday night, the Brookings City Council heard a report on the use of Flock cameras by city police.
The devices — sometimes called automated license plate readers — are AI-powered cameras that capture and analyze vehicle data on public roadways. On August 27, a group of area residents petitioned the city council to re-consider its use of the cameras.
Brookings Police Chief Michael Drake said the cameras are useful investigative tools, are not used for routine surveillance and help city police save money. Drake acknowledged there have been misuses in other communities, but stressed there are local safeguards in place… “I don’t care what we’re doing somewhere else. I care what we’re doing here in Brookings. That’s why you hired me — was to make sure that we provide the best public safety to our community. Seven cameras that take static photos that we almost never see and we only access through policy and procedure for legitimate purposes that are upheld right now by the Supreme Court and are constitutional is not a lot.”
Drake promised misuse of the cameras will not be tolerated… “I can assure you that if somebody misuses that system in the city of Brookings they will face administrative action as prescribed by our policy — not just mine but the city manager’s expectation and the citywide policy.”
A number of area residents remained unconvinced and took turns airing their concerns to the council.
Robert Herb of Aurora said the chief’s arguments don’t matter… “He is a public servant, and he should enact the public will. The public does not want these cameras. You are hearing a small selection of people, but this is not a left versus right (issue). … Republicans, Democrats, Libertarians — everybody agrees these cameras are far too much.”
Herb compared the cameras to checkpoints… “The system is comparable to hiring a company to put a security guard checkpoint at every major roadway into Brookings. Does that seem like — I mean not to be cliché about it — but does that seem like America?”
Council Member Holly Tilton Byrne said she trusts Brookings Police — but not necessarily everyone else… “That’s where my doubts come into place. It is not at all with our local police department. In fact, if this were a really old school, closed-loop system where everything was just captured, housed and used by our department, I don’t know that there would be a lot of concern in the community about that.”
Mayor Ope Niemeyer said he wants to hear more before making any decisions… “I don’t think a decision has to be made this evening or within the next month. In the future we should probably find out what direction we want to go, or ask Chief Drake to maybe tighten up the rules a little bit more. We’ll go from there.”
City Manager Paul Briseno said he and Chief Drake are willing to hear more from the public… “The chief of police is also open to hearing concerns, evaluating the best process forward, and we’re constantly evolving. So I’m sure he’ll take back a lot of the questions, concerns from tonight, go back, reflect and see what we can continue to advance.”
The Brookings Police Department currently operates seven FLOCK cameras at a cost of $21 thousand a year.
— Brookings Radio News
