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FlockOffFarrell

Flock Safety Camera System

Understand the Issue

Huntington City Council considered two Flock-related professional-services resolutions on July 13, 2026, then voted 6-4 to approve a five-year agreement after a lengthy public meeting. This page summarizes the public record and reported concerns so residents and nonresidents can prepare informed comments.

Verified Facts

  • The July 13 agenda listed Resolution 2026-R-89 for audio detection, live video cameras, drone services, and license plate recognition.
  • The agenda also listed Resolution 2026-R-90 for premier support services related to the same technology package.
  • WSAZ reported the adopted agreement would bring more than 40 license plate readers, two drones, 17 cameras, two gunshot detectors, and other product-order items.
  • Reporting from the meeting said more than 50 public speakers appeared, with all but one opposed to the resolution.

Cost Snapshot

  • Device schedule: $394,785 in year one.
  • Device schedule: $438,220 in each later year.
  • Five-year device schedule total: $2,147,665.
  • Professional support services: $77,560 for two years.
  • These figures are listed separately here and are not combined into a single total until final contract treatment is confirmed.

Supporter Arguments

  • Mayor Patrick Farrell and Huntington Police Chief Phil Watkins argued the technology would improve public safety.
  • Supporters described the system as a way to give police faster, more coordinated information during patrol response and investigations.
  • The adopted resolution was amended for annual budget-session review of the technology's efficacy and a renewed budget vote.

Opponent Concerns

  • Opponents objected to mass surveillance, data retention and sharing, reliability, possible misuse, and legal liability.
  • Councilmember Tia Rumbaugh told WSAZ she wanted guardrails before adoption and raised concerns about bidding and public accountability.
  • ACLU-WV says the agreement raises civil-liberties concerns and alleges procedural defects in how the contract was awarded.

Pending Litigation

ACLU-WV announced on July 16, 2026 that it joined local counsel in filing a lawsuit in Cabell County Circuit Court on behalf of Huntington resident Greg Jimison. The announcement says the case seeks to stop the partnership from going forward and focuses first on alleged procedural problems with the contract award.

Unresolved Questions

  • What final contract documents, product schedules, and support schedules govern the city after approval?
  • What local policies will control access, audit logs, retention, sharing, discipline, and public reporting?
  • How will annual efficacy review measure public-safety benefit, error, misuse, and civil-liberties risk?

What You Can Do

Sources