Springville questions value of Flock camera system, considers ending contract

Springville officials are currently evaluating the future of the city's relationship with Flock Safety. Following an internal audit that revealed a police officer misused the technology, city leadership is reconsidering the necessity and cost-effectiveness of the automated license plate reader system.

Public Concerns and Internal Audits

Mayor Austin Phillips addressed the contract during the August 3 City Council work session, noting that the review was prompted by public outcry regarding the scope and supervision of the camera network. The internal scrutiny follows a high-profile incident in July where a Springville police officer resigned after a June audit confirmed the misuse of the system.

"As many of you know, a month or so ago, we had an officer who misused the Flock camera system," Phillips stated, while commending Police Chief Jason Mize for his swift response in handling the discrepancy.

Questioning the Return on Investment

Springville has utilized Flock cameras since 2019, with a 60-month contract renewal signed by former Chief Richard Walton in October 2023. With two years remaining on that agreement, officials have spent the last few weeks determining if the system remains a valuable asset for local law enforcement.

While Mayor Phillips initially hoped the review would validate the program, the findings suggest otherwise. "At least for Springville—I’m not saying it doesn’t work for other municipalities—but for Springville, I feel like the cost is not accurately representing what we’re getting," Phillips noted.

According to the mayor, Flock played a role in eight felony arrests, five of which were retail theft cases; however, it was not the sole factor in any of those instances. With an annual price tag between $27,000 and $28,000, Chief Mize emphasized that those funds could be more effectively utilized for officer training or purchasing new equipment.

Moving Forward

Chief Mize clarified that he is not opposed to the technology in principle, but his assessment of the department's operational needs led to a consensus among staff that the contract's cost outweighs its benefits. Moving forward, the department intends to lean on its strong relationships with local business owners, as private security cameras have already proven to be an effective resource in recent investigations.

City officials are now exploring legal options to either shorten or terminate the existing contract prematurely.