Revoke Hot Springs Police Flock Contract

The Issue

This small-town ambiance has long characterized our city, making it a warm and welcoming place for both residents and visitors. Recently, however, this atmosphere has started to fade, and one notable factor contributing to this decline is the Flock Safety contract held by the Hot Springs Police Department.

The implementation of Flock Safety surveillance technology, designed to monitor our streets through automatic license plate readers, is intended to improve safety. However, it raises significant concerns about privacy, effectiveness, and civil liberties.

Moreover, the transparency regarding how data is collected, stored, and utilized is severely lacking. Residents have a right to understand how their personal information is being handled and deserve assurance that it is not being misused. As taxpayers, we should have a say in whether our city’s resources are allocated to technologies that might compromise our fundamental rights to privacy. Not passing it with out taking the consideration of the people.

Reallocating these funds towards community programs, such as education and mental health services, could foster a more robust and proactive approach to community safety. Programs that focus on community engagement, social services, and restorative justice have a proven track record in reducing crime while creating stronger bonds between residents and law enforcement.

It is time for Hot Springs to prioritize its citizens’ privacy and invest in solutions that cultivate trust and safety without resorting to invasive surveillance technologies and drag net policing.I urge my fellow residents to join me in calling for the revocation of the Flock Safety contract to safeguard our community's future.

Please sign this petition to urge the Hot Springs Police Department and the Board Of Directors to cancel this contract. Your signature can help bring back the community spirit that makes Hot Springs so special. Together, we can find better solutions that respect our rights and enhance our community’s well-being.

Jay BrownPetition Starter

Media inquiries

256

Let’s get to 500 signatures!

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The Issue

Jay BrownPetition Starter

Media inquiries

Support now

256

Let’s get to 500 signatures!

Petitions with 1,000+ supporters are 5x more likely to win!

The Decision Makers

Hot Springs City Council,

6 Members

1 Responded

Arkansas

Phyllis Beard

Hot Springs City Council - District 2

“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”