Jay BrownHot Springs, AR, United States
Aug 26, 2026
Hello Petition Supporters,
My name is Grace with the Change.org Civic Engagement Team. We reached out to City Director Beard and received the following email response about her thoughts on the issue. She provided us with the following statement on the topic of surveillance. We hope you find the information helpful. - Grace and the Civic Engagement Team
Response-
I first learned about the Drone First Responders program at the National League of Cities conference. I even suggested that the city adopt it because it could help in emergencies. However, since then, I have had to rethink issues of surveillance. I had more questions than answers.
I support police and firefighters having some knowledge of the scene before they arrive. It could save the lives of residents and the first responders. I am also concerned about the privacy of residents when authorities show up on the scene.
I have heard some disturbing concerns from residents. Many in my district told me they felt that they were already under enough surveillance with the Flock Cameras. The city says the surveillance programs do one thing; however, some residents say they are experiencing something different.
Many have shared stories expressing that they feel disproportionately targeted. In my personal experience, I was pulled over by Arkansas State Police on Crescent Street because I had a headlight out. I was wondering why the state troopers were in this neighborhood and whether they were in other areas of town. If state troopers are patrolling our neighborhoods, why would we pay the local police to do the same job?
Since the measure passed, I trust it will eliminate the need for high-speed chases on our streets like the one that killed two innocent people on Hobson earlier this year.
Phyllis Beard
City Director District 2
Hot Springs National Park, AR
My name is Grace with the Change.org Civic Engagement Team. We reached out to City Director Beard and received the following email response about her thoughts on the issue. She provided us with the following statement on the topic of surveillance. We hope you find the information helpful. - Grace and the Civic Engagement Team
Response-
I first learned about the Drone First Responders program at the National League of Cities conference. I even suggested that the city adopt it because it could help in emergencies. However, since then, I have had to rethink issues of surveillance. I had more questions than answers.
I support police and firefighters having some knowledge of the scene before they arrive. It could save the lives of residents and the first responders. I am also concerned about the privacy of residents when authorities show up on the scene.
I have heard some disturbing concerns from residents. Many in my district told me they felt that they were already under enough surveillance with the Flock Cameras. The city says the surveillance programs do one thing; however, some residents say they are experiencing something different.
Many have shared stories expressing that they feel disproportionately targeted. In my personal experience, I was pulled over by Arkansas State Police on Crescent Street because I had a headlight out. I was wondering why the state troopers were in this neighborhood and whether they were in other areas of town. If state troopers are patrolling our neighborhoods, why would we pay the local police to do the same job?
Since the measure passed, I trust it will eliminate the need for high-speed chases on our streets like the one that killed two innocent people on Hobson earlier this year.
Phyllis Beard
City Director District 2
Hot Springs National Park, AR
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