Coweta Police Chief Cites Past Data Center Opposition in Decision to Remove Surveillance Cameras
Coweta's Police Chief Mike Bell is removing Flock Safety cameras due to public distrust, which he links to previous community protests that led to the cancellation of a hyperscale data center in the city. The data center project's cancellation is cited as a reason for the city's "tough times" and strained relationship with citizens regarding transparency.
Coweta Police Chief Mike Bell announced the removal of Flock Safety surveillance cameras from the city, citing a need to rebuild public trust. Bell stated that citizens viewed the AI-powered automatic license plate readers as a "threat" and their deactivation is crucial for restoring confidence in the police department and city leadership.
This decision comes months after a developer canceled plans for a hyperscale data center in Coweta following significant community protests. Chief Bell explicitly linked the public's current distrust to these past events, noting that the data center controversy and concerns over transparency created a "rift" between the city and its residents.
The use of Flock Safety cameras is a broader debate in the Tulsa area, with police departments in Tulsa, Broken Arrow, Owasso, Jenks, and Sand Springs also utilizing the technology. State law permits data from these cameras only for specific enforcement purposes. Candidates for Tulsa City Council are divided on the issue, with some supporting the cameras with regulations and others expressing outright opposition.