Clark County, Nev. – The Clark County School District (CCSD) has suspended its partnership with Flock Safety, the company that provides surveillance cameras for schools, while district officials review the program’s necessity and privacy implications.
Chief’s audit leads to pause
Jeff Clark, the district’s newly sworn‑in police chief, announced in early August that he would audit CCSD’s policies governing access to Flock camera data. After completing the review, Chief Clark issued a statement on Oct. 5 saying the district will not pursue a new shared‑access agreement with Flock at this time. He added that any decision to resume the program must be presented to the CCSD Board of Trustees for a formal vote.
Superintendent confirms the decision
At an Oct. 12 event celebrating recent school improvements, Superintendent Jhone Ebert reiterated the district’s stance. “We issued the statement last week, promised the public we would pause, investigate whether it’s a tool we need, and if we move forward, we will bring it before the Board of Trustees,” Ebert said. She expressed optimism that the district can now focus on academics without the distraction of the surveillance debate.
Parents and community voice concerns
Local parents voiced strong opinions about the camera program. Brooklyn Dulgar, a parent, urged transparency, stating, “When it comes to communication with the school board, they should be fully open and transparent with parents.” Another resident, Norman Robinovitz, warned of privacy risks, saying, “I have nothing to hide, but I think they’re an invasion of privacy and somebody eventually is going to steal all that information.”
District’s communication response
CCSD communications staff declined to comment further on Chief Clark’s decision, noting they had “nothing further to add” after the superintendent’s remarks. The district has also reached out to the Board of Trustees for additional comment, but no response was available at the time of publication.
Background on Flock Safety in schools
Flock Safety provides video‑analytics cameras that can identify license plates and track movement, a technology increasingly adopted by K‑12 districts and higher‑education campuses nationwide. Critics argue the system raises civil‑liberty and privacy concerns, while supporters claim it deters crime and enhances campus safety. The Cornell Daily Sun recently reported that Cornell University will remove its Flock cameras in October 2024, reflecting a broader national conversation about the balance between security and privacy.
What comes next?
With the district’s pause in effect, the next step is a formal discussion before the CCSD Board of Trustees. Stakeholders—including parents, teachers, and local officials—are expected to weigh in during the upcoming board meeting. The outcome will determine whether the district reinstates the camera program, modifies its scope, or seeks alternative safety measures.
For now, the district’s focus remains on academic achievement and maintaining a safe learning environment without reliance on controversial surveillance technology.
Original reporting: KTNV 13 Action News Las Vegas (local) — read the source article.
