Seymour police review Flock camera statistics, privacy guardrails

SEYMOUR, Ind. — Seymour Police Department (SPD) officials presented updated operational statistics and addressed privacy considerations regarding the city's automatic license plate reader (ALPR) system at last week's Common Council meeting.

Assistant Chief of Police John Watson reported that the city’s eight Flock Safety ALPR cameras, installed along key entry and exit state highways at an annual cost of $17,500, have scanned 17.6 million license plates year-to-date. He emphasized that the system provides automated alerts for stolen vehicles, wanted persons, sex offenders, and traffic violators, allowing police to monitor criminal activity entering the municipality.

Lt. C.J. Foster, President of FOP Lodge 108 and member of the Indiana FOP Legislative Committee, advocated the technology, noting that the state FOP is actively collaborating with Indiana lawmakers to establish uniform legislative guardrails and statutory standards for ALPR use.

During the public comment portion, a resident raised questions regarding AI machine-learning algorithms, potential data finger-entry errors, and long-term vendor data retention. SPD leadership reassured the council that they regularly conduct internal audits to review officer plate queries and maintain policy compliance.