By admin 
TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) – An investigation is ongoing after two Flock cameras were vandalized in Benson recently.
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Benson Police Chief Greg Volker confirmed with 13 News that the most recent incident happened near Ocotillo Road and Jackson Street on Sunday, Aug. 9.
Volker said someone cut the pole to the camera; the investigation is ongoing, and anyone with information should call the BPD at 520-882-7463.
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The controversial Flock camera systems have been in the headlines for years, but things have been heating up the last few months for both good and bad reasons.
13 News has reported on several kidnappings and missing-person cases solved quickly by law enforcement using the license plate readers. But 13 News has also reported on several law enforcement officers getting in trouble for misusing the Flock camera system, including cases of stalking and harassment.
Several governments in Arizona have recently announced they are ending their contracts with the controversial company, including Chandler and Pinal County. Other groups, like the Navajo Nation, recently announced deals to install Flock cameras.
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Flock has long claimed that its system only tracks license plates, not people. But an investigation by Gray’s InvestigateTV proved the company’s own training videos show police using the system to track suspects “from location to location to location.”
On Aug. 13, Flock announced updates as part of what the company says is a “continuation” of the company’s “commitment to both safety and privacy.”
In a post on the company’s website, and video posted to YouTube, Flock founder and CEO Garrett Langley outlined the system modifications that make up that ‘new standard.’
The changes include:
- Default storage time for license plate reader data will be reduced from 30 days to seven days, with exceptions available for long-term investigations, though agencies can still set their own retention periods independently
- Law enforcement agency customers will be required to use Flock’s “Audit Assistance” feature that flags potential misuse using artificial intelligence
- Users the system suspects are misusing the search function will have their access automatically suspended until an administrator reviews their activity
- Law enforcement agency searches will require a case number or code. Exceptions may be allowed during emergencies, but will be flagged for administrator review
- Jurisdictions will be able to choose what kinds of searches for which other agencies in the network can utilize their cameras and data
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