Dutchess County to cover Flock cameras despite Serino’s objections

POUGHKEEPSIE — A resolution to cover Dutchess County’s Flock Safety cameras will still go into effect, despite County Executive Sue Serino’s decision not to sign the measure. The resolution, which passed unanimously in the legislature, directs county personnel to cover any remaining license plate readers with opaque, non-damaging materials, so residents know the devices are no longer recording.

Serino argued that the resolution is unnecessary and could expose the county to liability if equipment is damaged. A formal demand was issued to Flock on Sept. 30 to remove its equipment by Oct. 30. If Flock misses that deadline, Serino said, the county will work with the district attorney and sheriff to take further steps.

District 19 Legislator Chris Drago introduced the resolution on Tuesday, Oct. 13, to cover the cameras in the event that those deadlines are not met.

Serino’s decision not to sign the measure delays its implementation. Under the county charter, an executive who objects to a resolution has 10 days to return it to the Legislature with written objections.

“It’s disappointing that the County Executive is more worried about potential damage to Flock cameras than protecting her constituents’ privacy,” Drago said. “Rather than sign the resolution, the County Executive chose to delay it.”

County Legislator Eric Alexander, the Chair of the Public Safety Committee, said the resolution “simply calls for the county to do what they’ve agreed to. They said the cameras were going to come down within a certain time frame, and that’s all this resolution says.”

“There was nothing unclear about the direction provided by the people at the Flock forum,” Alexander said. “it’s our responsibility to act on what they’ve already agreed to.”

The dispute follows months of public concern over surveillance. Residents pressed officials at a September public forum hosted by Legislator Eric Alexander, with District Attorney Anthony Parisi and Sheriff Kirk Imperati attending. Flock cameras had been placed in every county municipality, in some cases on private property under agreements with the Sheriff’s Office. Parisi and Imperati said they deactivated the county’s cameras on Sept. 25, after residents demanded it at the forum.

Parisi has said the county must address the loss of an investigative tool, according to the New Pine Plains Herald. Imperati also told the Herald that no further action was needed beyond deactivating the cameras.

This story has been updated to attribute Parisi’s and Imperati’s positions on the deactivated Flock cameras to the New Pine Plains Herald.