Reaction came quick and varied via social media to Sheriff Gerald Couch’s lengthy first comments on the misuse of the Flock camera system and the impact it has had on his department and what happens now going forward. The statement was released Friday afternoon.
There were 400-plus comments on Facebook alone in the first 24 hours after the statement was posted on the department’s page.
Here’s a sampling:
“Good steps toward improving the system, Sheriff. I personally have no concern about when/where my vehicle is observed, however, the misuse of the system is concerning in general.”
“Get rid of the flock cameras totally. It’s a violation of the privacy of ordinary citizens. This is not China!!! Mass surveillance has no place in America!”
“The US Supreme Court ruled in Carpenter vs. The United States, that widespread remote data gathering equates to a violation of the 4th Amendment.”
“Thank you Hall County for the hard work in uncovering the abuse of the flock cameras.”
“These violators were that bad when you hired them and probably plenty more. Maybe the county’s hiring standards should be much higher and proper vetting instead of blaming the machines.”
“Nah, eliminate the tool. 7 cases of 7 individuals misusing it already?! The victims of those 7 officers would probably like the tool eliminated too. How long until they use that information to hurt someone? Or kill someone?”
“At my job, I always told co-workers that they might have access to certain tools, but that didn’t mean they had the authority to use them.”
“HOA’s (Homeowners Associations) are abusing this and also need to be investigated”
“You know what would’ve been better than this long statement, one sentance. “We’re getting rid of the Flock cameras”.
(EDITOR’S NOTE: The sheriff’s statement is available here in a story that was posted Friday: Couch comments on Flock issues)