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Flock Cameras

At a glance

  • What: The Easley Police Department runs eight stationary Flock Safety license plate reader cameras. Council has heard from the police chief and is collecting public questions.
  • Where it stands: No vote or proposal to change the program appears in the minutes through September 14. Councilman Alexander reported about 60 to 70 resident questions and plans more follow-up with the Police Department.
  • Next: Follow-up with the Police Department on the resident questions; no date is set in the records read.

What the chief told Council (August 10, 2026)

  • Chief Liner said Flock is a criminal investigation tool used for violent crimes, stolen vehicles, hit-and-runs, drug offenses and missing persons.
  • Policy: every search needs a case number or a call-for-service number, searches must be for law enforcement purposes only, and misuse can bring discipline up to termination. He said it is not used for general surveillance.
  • Audits: activity is reviewed monthly by multiple people (six in the department take part, including command staff, investigators and road supervisors), and supervisors can review officer use. The audit records and the policy may be available through public records requests; active investigative data may be protected.
  • Data: stored in Flock's cloud system and generally deleted after thirty days unless needed for a case, in which case it is downloaded and kept under normal evidence procedures.
  • Neighborhoods and private entities may run their own systems and may grant police access, which is permission-based and needs a law enforcement reason.
  • He credited Flock with helping solve cases, including missing persons and a recent kidnapping-type situation.

Public reaction

  • The chief acknowledged public apprehension about privacy and civil liberties.
  • On September 14, Councilwoman Rainey said constituents felt better informed after the chief's presentation. Councilman Alexander said residents had expressed both concern and support.

Sources

Log

2026-09-14 - City Council

Councilman Alexander said he was still collecting and reviewing public questions on Flock, about 60 to 70 submitted so far, and would follow up with the Police Department. Councilwoman Rainey thanked Chief Liner for the presentation. No action taken.

2026-08-10 Work Session and Regular Meeting

Chief Liner gave a detailed presentation at the work session (eight cameras, search policy, audits, 30-day retention) and spoke again under Council Discussion at the regular meeting. Council asked about data storage and retention. No vote.

Last modified 2026-11-10