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NEWTON FALLS -- A village councilman wanting to prohibit the use of Flock cameras in the community and the sharing of the data that they collect did not receive the support from other councilmembers.
Councilman Brian Axiotos (2nd Ward) presented legislation at Wednesday’s council meeting to prohibit the village from using Flock cameras and was seeking emergency passage.
Councilmembers Brian Burke, Julie Stimpert, Brian Kropp and Kevin Rufener voted to have the legislation only receive a first reading to allow for citizen comments at the next meeting before council would act on a second reading.
Council voted 4-1 on the first reading, with Axiotis the lone “no” vote.
But after a lengthy discussion Burke, Rufener and Stimpert voted against prohibiting Flock cameras with only Kropp joining Axiotis in wanting to prevent them from being in the village.
Axiotis said nationwide there has been a lot of upheaval over the Flock cameras, noting that the company collects the data from vehicle license plates, which he said concerns him of where that data is used and who accesses it.
“This legislation would prohibit the use of such cameras by a third party. The company would use the cameras to know where you are at all times, which seems to me to be a Fourth Amendment violation. There needs to be safeguards in place,” he said, noting he has no problem that the police department uses its own cameras to see who is in the village.
He said the village has previously banned rehab houses and approved a moratorium on data centers.
Axiotis said the ordinance would he have prohibited the use of Flock cameras or any other third party or privately operated automated license plate recognition system and would prohibit the sharing, transfer or external access of data collected.
Councilman Bob Burke (3rd Ward) said he supports the use of the cameras in Youngstown, where he works, and said any community could benefit from the added protection if the Flock cameras are used properly.
He said in Youngstown there are a limited number of people, including police, who have access to the camera data.
Councilman Brian Kropp said he does support prohibiting them, but felt that residents should be able to comment and present their opinions, so he did not support an emergency passage of the legislation.
Councilman Kevin Rufener (4th Ward) said cameras are used by businesses to record people in and out of their stores.
“You can walk downtown, and there will be cameras recording what you are doing. People have cameras at their homes to record what is happening on private property,” Rufener said.
Kropp said the Flock cameras track drivers coming in and out of communities. He said he is concerned that a private third-party is getting the data.
Councilwoman-at-Large Julie Stimpert said Flock cameras have become a concerning issue that needs to be reviewed by Law Director Gary VanBrocklin.
Axiotis said he was disappointed that three councilmembers did not support the motion to prohibit Flock cameras.
“This company gathers data that they can use against you. That data is shared not only with law enforcement, but other organizations,” he said.
Axiotis said the public is voting in the November election on whether to allow speed cameras in school zones and now can think of another referendum for whether to use or not use Flock cameras in the village.
Stimpert said the matter needs to be first reviewed by the village manager and law director.
Axiotos said he gave the material on prohibiting Flock cameras to the law director more than a month ago.
TORNADO SIRENS
In other business, Village Manager Jeremy Shaffer said the village is considering upgrading the tornado warning system at a cost of $20,000 to replace the sirens with mechanical ones that the County 911 and the safety forces can activate. Shaffer said he wants to improve the warning system to the public.
Also, Shaffer reported the community center is now in the hands of the village, as members of Heritage Accord turned over the keys to the building and were part of a walkthrough of the building.
Shaffer said plans are to get the building winterized.
In other action, council:
• Announced that the public can take part in a survey available on the village website on a comprehensive plan for the community.
• Heard from Shaffer, who asked that council members from each ward submit roads and streets that need attention for repair work or paving. He has been in contact with the Trumbull County engineer’s office on work that can be done.
• Heard from Shaffer about fixing up dilapidated homes as part of Community Reinvestment Areas.
• Heard from Police Chief John Barco that four part-time officers were added to the police staff with the total at 18 part-time officers.
• Will seek an interested resident to serve as the village’s citizen representative on the Newton Falls Joint Fire District Board for a three-year term.
• Heard from Kropp, who attended a program hosted by the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber that addressed housing in the area and also data centers.
• Heard from Stimpert, who said the fire district has faced issues of not being able to respond to all calls since there is not enough staff to fill all shifts or were out on another call at the same time.