Exclude surveillance cameras from Owego's police grant
The Issue
In the peaceful and historic Village of Owego, we cherish our safety and way of life. As residents of this quaint rural village, we take pride in our close-knit community where major crimes are a rarity. Our streets are not plagued with the tragedies of murders or drive-by shootings found in larger cities. Our current investment of $1 million annually for our local police department, coupled with the backing of the Tioga County Sheriff and New York State Troopers, already provides us with ample protection.
However, the possibility of surveillance cameras being added to our police department's grant application concerns many of us deeply. We do not wish for our personal information—such as license plate data—to be outsourced to companies like Flock Safety, which undermines our privacy and infringes on our constitutional rights.
There is no denying that technology can aid in crime prevention, yet in a town like ours, the need for such invasive surveillance measures is not justified. Surveillance cameras cast a wide net of suspicion over everyone, rather than focusing on those who might be genuine threats. This can erode trust within our community.
Our village embodies freedom, privacy, and trust. Introducing mass surveillance transforms these values, replacing them with unnecessary and unwanted oversight. Instead of expanding surveillance, we urge our community leaders to focus on enhancing existing security measures without compromising on our foundational rights.
We call upon the Owego Village Board and other decision-makers involved in the grant process to exclude surveillance cameras from any grant applications. This is a crucial step in upholding our way of life and maintaining the trust between the residents and law enforcement.
Communities thrive when their members feel both safe and respected. Let’s keep Owego safe without sacrificing our privacy. Please sign this petition to exclude surveillance cameras from the Village of Owego's police department grant application and protect our cherished constitutional rights.
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The Issue
In the peaceful and historic Village of Owego, we cherish our safety and way of life. As residents of this quaint rural village, we take pride in our close-knit community where major crimes are a rarity. Our streets are not plagued with the tragedies of murders or drive-by shootings found in larger cities. Our current investment of $1 million annually for our local police department, coupled with the backing of the Tioga County Sheriff and New York State Troopers, already provides us with ample protection.
However, the possibility of surveillance cameras being added to our police department's grant application concerns many of us deeply. We do not wish for our personal information—such as license plate data—to be outsourced to companies like Flock Safety, which undermines our privacy and infringes on our constitutional rights.
There is no denying that technology can aid in crime prevention, yet in a town like ours, the need for such invasive surveillance measures is not justified. Surveillance cameras cast a wide net of suspicion over everyone, rather than focusing on those who might be genuine threats. This can erode trust within our community.
Our village embodies freedom, privacy, and trust. Introducing mass surveillance transforms these values, replacing them with unnecessary and unwanted oversight. Instead of expanding surveillance, we urge our community leaders to focus on enhancing existing security measures without compromising on our foundational rights.
We call upon the Owego Village Board and other decision-makers involved in the grant process to exclude surveillance cameras from any grant applications. This is a crucial step in upholding our way of life and maintaining the trust between the residents and law enforcement.
Communities thrive when their members feel both safe and respected. Let’s keep Owego safe without sacrificing our privacy. Please sign this petition to exclude surveillance cameras from the Village of Owego's police department grant application and protect our cherished constitutional rights.
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Petition created on August 21, 2026