Thackerville, Oklahoma – Starting Monday, the Thackerville Police Department will place protective covers over the Flock Safety license‑plate reader cameras that have been installed throughout the city. The move follows the department’s decision to end its contract with Flock Safety, a company that provides automated license‑plate reading technology.
Reason for the change
Police Chief Jonathan Buckaloo explained that the decision was driven in part by the importance of maintaining trust between law‑enforcement and the community. “Our relationship with residents is paramount,” Buckaloo said in September when the department first announced the contract termination. “We want to ensure that our policing tools support public safety without compromising the confidence our neighbors have in us.”
What the covers will look like
The department plans to install simple, opaque shields over each camera lens. The covers will be removable, allowing the equipment to be re‑activated if the city later decides to reinstate the technology. Officials emphasized that the cameras themselves will remain in place; only the field of view will be blocked.
Background on the technology
Flock Safety’s license‑plate readers automatically capture and store images of passing vehicles, cross‑referencing plates with law‑enforcement databases. Proponents argue the systems help locate stolen vehicles, locate wanted suspects, and deter criminal activity. Critics, however, raise concerns about privacy and the potential for over‑surveillance in small communities.
Community response
Local residents have expressed mixed feelings. Some appreciate the department’s willingness to listen and act on privacy concerns, while others worry that covering the cameras could reduce the police’s ability to quickly identify threats. The police department has scheduled a town‑hall meeting next week to field questions and discuss any future adjustments to its surveillance practices.
Next steps
Chief Buckaloo indicated that the department will continue to evaluate its technology needs, balancing public‑safety benefits with community expectations. “We remain committed to protecting Thackerville while respecting the freedoms and privacy of our citizens,” he said.
The city will monitor the impact of the covered cameras and report back to the public after a trial period. In the meantime, officers will rely on traditional patrol methods and community‑based policing strategies to maintain safety.
Original reporting: KXII News 12 (Gray) — read the source article.
