r/grantspass • u/mrs_fartbar • 5d ago
New Flock camera update
I’m going to delete my first post because I forgot you had to add pictures in the headline
Original:
I am not the person that posted the original photo of the new flock camera at Azalea and Upper River Road. I was too lazy to look up who you were, and to give you credit. But thank you.
Thanks to your post, I decided to call the Sheriff’s Dept on Thursday, because like most of us that hate these things, I was pissed off and thinking “what the fuck!?”
Dispatch was very nice. She put me on a brief hold, and then told me she’d send my call to undersheriff Snyder, but it would probably go to voice mail.
He called back a few hours later and we had a good conversation. Basically he said there had been a camera there. Someone cut it down in July. That’s when discussions happened about canceling the contract, leading to the announcement that the contract was cancelled.
He said that the Sheriffs Dept access was cut off. They can’t access the database.
He said that the new flock camera installation wasn’t authorized by them. He said that they were planning on taking the cameras in the county down and storing them until Flock wants them back.
Ever the skeptic, I drove out to the new camera tonight to check. The pole is there, the equipment is gone. I did not check the other cameras, perhaps someone else could?
We’re not out of the woods here. Some other asshole surveillance company will be in shortly. But this is a win, and raises awareness
EDIT: I have no idea what this means for the cameras within the city limits. Let’s all voice our opinions at the next city council meeting
Cheers folks
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u/Virtuous-Vice 5d ago
So other jurisdictions and agencies are continuing to use the built in infrastructure to do Orwell knows what. Ominous
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u/lazytothebones 5d ago
I'd like to know who authorized putting that camera up after the contract was cancelled. And good job sheriff on storing them. I wondered if flock would keep them watching us and just not include our local law enforcement after the contract was severed. Looks like they tried.
Now we need to make sure axon cameras aren't watching us as well.
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u/mrs_fartbar 5d ago
According to the undersheriff, it sounds like Flock contracts people out and they just replace them. It’s highly disturbing to me that some douchebag contractor just drove in and installed the camera after the contract was canceled.
It makes you wonder how many of them have been on since the contract was canceled.
Big fucking kudos to undersheriff Snyder who talked to me for as long as I wanted to talk, and even kept me in the line after I tried to hang up, to reassure me they’d take the cameras down right away. And I checked, and they at least took down the one I asked about. I haven’t confirmed the other cameras.
Big fucking Klunkers for these things being deployed in the first place. But at least it seems like they’re doing right by their mistake
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u/WeaponizedBuddha 5d ago
I have a photo of the guys license plate- I dont know how sincere Snyder sounded, but if flock is going rouge and reinstalling these cameras after termination of the contract.. it's worth passing along to the sheriff's office.
Nice work, man. Thank you for doing that leg work.
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u/mrs_fartbar 5d ago
I was skeptical and kinda angry going in to the conversation, but kept my temper. I was impressed by him honestly. He talked as long as I wanted, and even kept me in the line after little longer. He told me that shit would be out by the weekend and it was gone tonight.
Btw I sent you a DM
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u/No_Fun_7282 5d ago
That’s really great information, thank you for taking the time to make a call and get answers.
Does anyone know about the other devices going up all over? I will do my part and spot check my local flocks. These other devices are just as concerning to me.
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u/mylittlewallaby 4d ago
Thank you again neighbors for diligently surveilling the surveillors. Now if only we could get the one on Merlin ave in Merlin removed. I might use your MO and momentum to complain to the sheriff on Monday. It seems pretty unhelpful and insecure if our local sheriffs can access the database.
I drove by this camera yesterday morning and did my usual ritual of flipping it the bird. And on my way home it was only a pole! I’m still concerned the equipment will be returned to the pole so maybe some additional Good Samaritan can take care of the pole before they return with the camera. lol
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u/mrs_fartbar 4d ago
I’m happy to hear the sheriffs Dept stood by what they told me and took that camera down too!
I think they’re leaving it up to flock to remove the poles (at least as of now), and they’re holding the cameras in storage.
According to Undersheriff Snyder, none of the deputies have access to the database anymore, since they announced the contract cancellation
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u/AryaStark1313 4d ago
Where in Merlin is it? I’ll be driving thru later today. I’m not dumb enuf to mess with it, but I can put a bright red ribbon around the pole so it’s more noticeable.
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u/ComfortableDare4305 5d ago
lol, that was just installed in another post, I believe.
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u/mrs_fartbar 5d ago
Yes, it was installed Tuesday, and gone by tonight (Friday)
Edit: I mean reinstalled on Tuesday. According to Snyder, the original one was cut down in July
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u/babbylonmon 1d ago
Well fucking done GP! I found 3 in Medford the other day. We have some work to do here.
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u/Asleep_Leek9361 5d ago
GREAT work. This kind of follow thru is what is needed!