Columbia’s city council votes 5-2 to stop the automatic renewal of the city’s contract with Flock. They did so during the public hearing at city hall.
The contract with Flock runs through March 2027. Mayor Barbara Buffaloe posted on Facebook Monday evening after the public hearing that while she strongly supports technology for public safety, recent red flags and concerns about Flock’s long-term viability mean the city needs a more reliable partner.
The Mayor says the current cameras will remain active through their term, which expires in March.
The mayor writes this, on Facebook: “At our next meeting, I plan to ask CPD if there are alternative options for technology with better local ownership and strong privacy safeguards so our officers don’t lose vital investigative tools.”
Columbia’s Flock camera system utilizes automated license plate recognition (ALPR) and live-view intersection cameras throughout the city. CPD says they are strategically deployed across the city to support public safety and criminal investigations