Homer Glen Suspends Flock Camera Program Amid Concerns
The village of Homer Glen has temporarily halted its Flock camera license plate reader program. This decision follows reports of a Will County sheriff’s deputy being placed on administrative leave for alleged policy breaches.
This development surfaced soon after a heated session where the Will County Board approved the renewal of Flock camera agreements. This allows municipalities such as Mokena, Frankfort, and Manhattan to install these cameras on county rights of way.
Channahon Police Department recently disclosed the suspension of an officer who allegedly misused the Flock camera system. This officer was placed on administrative leave, as well.
Homer Glen Mayor Christina Neitzke-Troike has announced plans to closely examine the Flock camera system. The village has paused the camera use for now, awaiting the results of the investigation by the Will County sheriff’s office. Homer Glen relies on the Will County sheriff’s office for its policing needs.
I want more reassurances this won’t happen. We are putting a pause on any use of our cameras. Until an investigation is done, I can’t put our residents at risk.– Christina Neitzke-Troike
In April, Homer Glen officials implemented measures to address privacy concerns related to using Flock cameras. They restricted sharing information collected to within Illinois only and limited data retention to seven days.
Last December, the village approved installing 12 license plate readers at access points, but only four are currently active. Due to the situation, the village will delay the installation of the remaining cameras.
In a 2023 advisory referendum, about 60.4% of Homer Glen residents opposed license plate cameras.
A Will County sheriff’s deputy was placed on administrative leave last Friday. This was in connection with an internal affairs investigation into potential policy breaches, according to department spokesman Elizabeth Matthews.
The Will County Sheriff’s Office holds its employees to the highest standards of professionalism and integrity, expecting each member to uphold the policies, values and standards of conduct while serving our community with dedication and respect.– Elizabeth Matthews
The details of the alleged violations remain under investigation. More information will be provided when it does not hinder the investigation’s integrity.
Flock cameras assist in solving crimes, recovering stolen vehicles, and finding missing persons, noted Will County Undersheriff Dan Jungles. He emphasized the need to hold officers accountable for any misuse.
If law enforcement misuses this technology, that person needs to be held accountable and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.– Dan Jungles
Police chiefs from Mokena, Naperville, and Frankfort have expressed support for continuing intergovernmental agreements to utilize county property for Flock cameras.
Residents have raised concerns about potential misuse, privacy invasion, and improper use of the system for non-criminal activities like immigration enforcement.
Flock Safety implemented policy changes in mid-August following reports of misuse. These include requiring officers to input specific codes. The Channahon Police Department’s internal audit revealed unauthorized use of the technology, leading to additional audit measures to enhance trust and accountability.