SURPRISING STUFF
Have you heard of a Flock camera?
They are starting to pop up in our local communities and some are not very happy about their arrival. Flock has created a license plate reader camera and data storage for law enforcement, schools, businesses, and even homeowner associations. A Flock camera is a license plate reader that connects to a vast network of other Flock cameras that gather data about what plates pass their many locations. When a vehicle passes a Flock camera a photo and video is taken. AI technology pulls the license plate number and categorizes the vehicle characteristics. If you are not suspected of a crime, your information is logged and can be searched before being deleted after 30 days. If you are on the police “hot list” then the location data is pushed to law enforcement immediately for a response.
On the surface, Flock Cameras capture more data than standard license plate readers that are made only to photograph the plate itself. Thanks to their Vehicle Fingerprint® Technology, these cameras can profile vehicles by color, type, roof rack, and even bumper stickers. In addition, they track how often a vehicle passes any camera and can even predict routes. It’s important to note that they do not use facial recognition technology. While the Flock Company says they delete the data after 30 days, there are no laws that force them to do it. Are private citizens supposed to take the company’s word for it?
This has become a hot topic as Lowe’s in Delavan has placed these cameras throughout the parking lot. This is for inventory control and to keep theft to a minimum but is it worth it to possibly make customers feel uncomfortable to shop in their store? Theft needs to be stopped but this might be extreme. These cameras do offer some benefits though. Flock cameras are used mainly for good and can even assist in helping locate missing persons. Police have been able to locate missing persons by following their whereabouts from footage provided by Flock cameras. Hopefully, these cameras do more good than they do damage to our quaint local communities. The slightly turned phrase ‘flock you!’ may become applicable to many private retail parking lots. Where will you find these cameras mounted all over parking lots?
How about Lowes in Delavan?
The Lake Geneva Public Library presents the Wisconsin History Make Tours; “We Like to Dive Right In” History Walk brought by the Wisconsin Historical Society.
This exhibit is all about shipwrecks in Wisconsin waters which are a key resource in our maritime history. Learn all about maritime history and how underwater archaeologists uncover, document, and preserve history. From June 14th through August 30th this free recurring daily event right on the Lake Geneva Library grounds is there for all to enjoy. This pop-up exhibit offers so much history and education with beautiful poster boards filled with images and interesting information. Explore the outdoor display and discover shipwrecks in Wisconsin waters.
The publisher of the Geneva Shore Report served as a crewman aboard the Daniel J. Morrell, sister ship to the Edmond Fitzgerald, before it went down in a storm on November 29th of 1966 with all hands, save one…so this exhibit takes on a personal interest tone for the newspaper.
