Norfolk, Virginia's mayor, Kenny Alexander, is under fire for using a city council rule to limit people from voicing their opposition to the city's Flock Safety automated license plate reader system, WAVY reported.
Here's what to know
Before public comments began at a June meeting, Alexander highlighted council rules that let him restrict duplicative or cumulative testimony. In other words, people can't make comments that repeat what others have said.
WAVY reported that at the first city council meeting of each month, both residents and non-residents can sign up to speak for three minutes on city matters. At least four people each month since February have used the council's "new business" period to urge the city to abandon the program.
"If you are here to speak on Flock cameras, we've heard from you. But if there is one person who is here to speak, we will certainly allow that, but we have new business," Alexander said at the June meeting, as WAVY relayed.
Although they are often described as license plate readers, the cameras also record several other details about a vehicle like its make and model, color, and bumper stickers. Virginia law says that information cannot be stored for more than 21 days.
More background
Opponents say the conflict involves both privacy and the right to keep pressing the issue in public. Members of DeFlock Norfolk have continued returning to meetings and plan on continuing to do so. They believe the cameras raise constitutional concerns and require ongoing criticism.
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Group member Lydia Hardin believes the mayor's actions were undemocratic and says opponents are still bringing forward new evidence they believe shows the camera network is an invasion of privacy, per WAVY.
People are also expressing skepticism over the usefulness of these cameras because of how police officers are misusing them.
The Institute for Justice has an entire database filled with cases of officers abusing automated license plate readers. At the time of writing, 94 took place within the last year, and almost all involved Flock cameras.
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