Flock camera resolution discussed, cameras no longer in use

BLOUNTVILLE — A resolution not to renew a contract for 10 leased Flock Safety cameras in Sullivan County drew a flurry of incomprehensible debate Thursday night, but apparently as announced recently by Sheriff Jeff Cassidy the cameras are no longer in use. Discussion centered around a motion by Commissioner Hershel Glover of Bluff City seeking to delete language and then add language specific to Flock cameras, not license plate reading cameras in general or other cameras, such as body cameras or deputy vehicle cameras. At press time, the commission was still struggling with the matter, although Commissioner Joe Carr of Kingsport earlier in the meeting announced during public comment that he plans to introduce a resolution in September that would ban Flock-type cameras not just for the Sheriff's Office but for private businesses and any entity in Sullivan County, contingent on a change in Tennessee or federal law allowing that to happen. The discussion to table the resolution as amended came after Commissioner Gary Stidham said he would withdraw the resolution when it came up earlier in the meeting. A motion by Commissioner Hunter Locke seconded by Commissioner Travis Ward, a sheriff's deputy, to table the resolution failed 10-11 with three absent, although Commissioner Ben Hopper of Bristol after the fact said he would have voted for the table. Chairman John Gardner said that was too late and still wouldn't get the required vote to table. The cameras that read license plates have become a hot topic recently, resulting in fiery rhetoric including Carr's statement at the Aug. 13 commission work session that the head of Flock should be hanged for treason for violating privacy rights in the 4th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Law enforcement argue the cameras help catch criminals and locate missing people with closely safeguarded information, but privacy advocates fear use for other reasons and not enough safeguards against such misuse. Stidham of Kingsport, sponsor of the Flock resolution co-sponsored by Mark Ireson of Colonial Heights, may deal with Flock issues later on a different level since he is the unopposed District 2 state House hopeful to replace the retiring Bud Hulsey. Republican Stidham said General Assembly members are poised to put state "guardrails" mentioned in his commission resolution. Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs and U.S. Rep. Tim Burchett, R-2nd, also have spoken out against the license plate reading technology. Carr and incoming Commissioner Lakie Derrick publicly have said the cameras should be shut down in the county, period, and sheriff citing threats against him and others announced Monday he took that action. FUNDING FOR STUDENTS, ANIMALS The commission also approved a resolution by Cheryl Harvey, seconded by Stidham, to make a one-time contribution of $50,000 to the Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee's food backpack program for the 2026-27 school year, serving county students determined to be in need of food because of food insecurity. It has drawn support because it targets youth hunger but opposition because it is funding a not-for-profit agency, which other than volunteer fire departments and rescue squads has mostly been removed from county appropriations. Among items not acted upon was a resolution by Stidham, seconded or co-sponsored by John Gardner of Kingsport, to provide one-time funding of $50,000 to the Petworks Animal Services in Kingsport for day-to-day shelter operations, including caring for animals there because of pending animal cruelty cases. It has been rolled or delayed until the September commission meeting and with a new sponsor, Carr of Kingsport, since Stidham's term as a commissioner ends Aug. 31. OTHER MATTERS On other matters, the commission: • Authorized the county to apply for up to $1.1 million through a U.S. Department of Justice Grant to fund advanced law enforcement equipment and technology, including recovering cellphone data. The resolution mentions immigration but Immigration and Customs Enforcement or ICE is not named, and the matter was on the consent agenda not discussed before approval, although a public commenter said such technology opens up a bigger Pandora's Box on privacy and tracking people like keeping Flock cameras active would. • Appropriated $100,000 for the operation, maintenance, staffing and improvement of the Blountville athletic facilities on the campus of the former Blountville High, Middle and Elementary schools. The facilities include baseball, softball and pickleball areas, as well as a football field and walking track. • Appropriated up to $100,000 in the county's occupancy tax revenues to fund repairs to county-owned historic structures in downtown Blountville, including the County Courthouse, Deery Inn and Anderson Townhouse. The resolution was sponsored by Joyce Crosswhite of Blountville and co-sponsored by Dwight King of Piney Flats. • Authorized applying for and accepting, if offered, a Tennessee State Mueum capital maintenance and improvements grant for the Derry Inn. • Approved spending of opioid settlement money as follows: $175,000 for the Sullivan County Anti-Drug Coalition; $151,925 to the Sullivan County Recovery Restoration to help its court-sanctioned programs for offenders seeking help in recovery; and $186,662 to Families Free Inc. to help fund a Women's Recovery Home in Blountville. • Approved increasing grant appropriations and contract amendment signing for going from $1.125 million to $1.2 million, adding a state-approved school resource officer to the West Ridge High School Annex, on the campus of Sullivan Central Middle School. • A resolution on a tax increment financing and redevelopment plan for the Saidi property project, located in the Willy Boom Redevelopment District in Bristol, Tennessee, near Holston View Elementary, was not addressed by press time. The residential development would result in more property tax for the city and county, as well as new residences of people paying sales taxes. A series of housekeeping school system resolutions also were approved, all on consent on the 31-resolution agenda earlier in the meeting. The commission also honored retiring Mayor Richard Venable, County Attorney Dan Street and the 12 commissioners who won't return in September when the newly elected commission takes office.