Schmidt Addresses Concerns About Flock Cameras at Fredonia Village Board Meeting

Outrage over the presence of Flock cameras in the Village of Fredonia has prompted Chautauqua County's District Attorney to shed some light on the matter. During Monday's Fredonia Village Board meeting, Jason Schmidt spoke for about one hour regarding the installation of the automated license plate readers (ALPRs) and also addressed concerns residents have about them. Schmidt says his office contracted with Flock due primarily to funding issues for local law enforcement agencies...

Jason Schmidt: not enough money for law enforcement

Schmidt says his office began looking into camera systems to help solve major crimes in communities like Fredonia and Dunkirk, and that's what eventually led to the agreement with Flock. He says the cameras were purchased using grant money from New York State...

Jason Schmidt: used Aid to Prosecution money

Among residents' concerns is that the ALPRs violate their Fourth Amendment rights. Schmidt pushed back against that idea...

Jason Schmidt: no right of privacy in public spaces

He adds that his office's contract with Flock states the cameras can only be used for crime-solving purposes.

Click here to watch the full video of the discussion on Flock cameras (Schmidt begins speaking at 8:15).

Images and audio from Fredonia Access