Springville questions value of Flock camera system, considers ending contract

Springville city leadership is actively investigating ways to exit or reduce its contract with Flock Safety. The decision follows a recent internal audit that revealed an officer had misused the automated license plate reader system, alongside a comprehensive departmental review that concluded the service's costs outweigh its operational benefits.

Public Concerns and Internal Audit

Mayor Austin Phillips addressed the situation during the August 3 City Council work session, highlighting that the city's scrutiny is a direct response to public unease regarding how the surveillance technology is managed. The controversy reached a boiling point in July, when a Springville police officer resigned following the discovery of system violations during a June audit. Mayor Phillips credited Police Chief Jason Mize for acting swiftly to uncover the discrepancy.

Contractual Review

The city has utilized the Flock system since 2019. Despite a 60-month contract renewal signed by former Police Chief Richard Walton in October 2023, officials are now examining options to walk away or shorten the agreement, which still has approximately two years remaining.

Phillips admitted that he initially entered the review process hoping to find evidence to justify the system's continued use. "I thought it would be something that would be hugely beneficial to the way that our officers police," he said. However, the data told a different story. According to the Mayor, while the cameras contributed to eight felony arrests, the system was never the sole factor in those outcomes, five of which involved retail theft.

Budgetary Reallocation

With the system costing between $27,000 and $28,000 annually, Chief Mize and city officials believe those funds would be better spent elsewhere. "This money would go a long way," Mize stated, noting that the budget could be redirected toward vital equipment upgrades or officer training.

Mize emphasized that he is not opposed to the technology in principle, but rather focused on the specific return on investment for Springville. Looking ahead, the department plans to lean on their established relationships with local business owners who operate their own surveillance systems, which have already proven useful in recent criminal investigations.