The City of Two Rivers has approved the ending of its contract with Flock Safety.
The City Council met inside the Council Chambers Monday night (November 2nd), where they heard from Police Chief Ben Meinert and legal counsel to review the contract and determine if they could end their contract with the controversial surveillance company.
Chief Meinert reiterated why the city entered the contract in the first place.
“At the time, we had all the information that it was a proven tool here in Wisconsin,” he explained. “Agencies were using it, and it was very simple to contract into. We learned that during a major incident, through speaking with those other agencies, just how useful a tool it can be.”
However, over time, public sentiment shifted as multiple police officers around the state were arrested for misusing the system.
“My feeling is that some agencies were releasing, loosely, information that shouldn’t have that could have caused concerns with open investigations, victims, and other things,” the Chief said bluntly. “We take that of utmost importance. Other agencies, I don’t feel necessarily do.”
The Attorney noted that the contract was quite simple.
“There’s no certain terms for breach,” he explained. “It’s just a clean break.”
But they do have to wait until next spring to have them removed by Flock.
Multiple Council members, including Doug Brandt called back to all of the public discourse.
“I’m just saying there’s the skepticism in the public,” Brandt said. “It’s not going to go away until the cameras are actually physically gone.”
Darla LeClair agreed and asked, “Can (we) just bag them? They can still stay there, just put a bag over them.”
Chief Meinert called the cameras a “useless product sitting on our poles” and said he doesn’t care if they are bagged.
The idea was added to the motion, which was passed unanimously.
