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The Huntington City Council is scheduled to vote Monday on a professional services contract with Flock Group Inc. to equip the Huntington Police Department (HPD) with advanced AI tools, including license plate recognition, live video cameras, audio detection, and drone services.
The Huntington City Council is set to vote on a significant professional services contract with Flock Group Inc., also known as Flock Safety, aimed at enhancing the capabilities of the Huntington Police Department (HPD). The proposed five-year contract, totaling $2.1 million, would equip HPD with an array of advanced surveillance and detection tools. Specifically, the department would acquire 46 license plate recognition cameras featuring vehicle fingerprint technology, 17 live video cameras, two drones, and two sophisticated gunshot detection audio devices. The funding for this extensive undertaking is allocated from the police department's existing contracted services budget. The introduction of Flock Safety cameras has not been without controversy. These systems have drawn considerable criticism from privacy advocates, including the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), which has raised significant concerns about transparency and privacy implications. Furthermore, the company and its license plate readers are currently facing a lawsuit over these issues. Despite these concerns, HPD Chief Phil Watkins supports the initiative, asserting that these services are crucial for substantially improving the police department's investigative processes and patrol effectiveness. In anticipation of the council's vote, a local advocacy group, the Huntington Community Action Group, plans to host a rally at Huntington City Hall to protest the adoption of these Flock Safety technologies. In addition to the primary contract, the council will also consider a separate two-year professional services agreement with Flock Group. This support contract, costing $38,780 annually for a total of $77,560, is designated to provide premier technical support, ongoing maintenance, and ensure the long-term reliability of the new live video cameras, audio detection systems, drones, and license plate recognition systems. This ensures the comprehensive integration and operational continuity of these advanced tools within the HPD's infrastructure.
The City Council agenda extends beyond police technology to include several other critical matters affecting city operations and personnel. * **Administrative Pay Raise:** The council will vote on a resolution to approve a 2.5% pay raise for all administrative and professional city employees. This salary increase is intended to be offset by "health care efficiencies" realized by the city and is slated for fast-tracking through the council's agenda. * **Fire Department Truck Purchase:** Another resolution on the table involves authorizing the purchase of a new vehicle for the Huntington Fire Department. The proposal is to acquire a 2025 or newer Ford F-250 XL truck from Mid-State Ford of Summersville, West Virginia, at a cost of $51,328. This expenditure will be covered by the fire department's general fund budget. * **Adams Avenue Rezoning:** The council will conduct the first reading of an ordinance proposing the rezoning of 14 parcels situated in the 900 block of Adams Avenue. The current zoning of R-5 multi-family residential would be changed to C-2 highway commercial. This rezoning aims to facilitate commercial use for existing storefronts on these parcels and enable potential development on the vacant lots within the block, which is adjacent to the West Village Apartments. * **Coal Severance Fund Budget Revision:** A vote is scheduled for a budget revision concerning the coal severance fund, indicating adjustments to financial allocations related to coal mining revenues. * **Fire Code Amendment:** The second reading of an ordinance to amend Article 1509, which governs the adoption of the city's fire code, will take place. This amendment seeks to bring the city's fire code into compliance with the new West Virginia state fire code, which officially became effective on July 1. * **Meeting Schedule:** The City Council is scheduled to convene its main meeting at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, July 13, in the council chambers at City Hall, preceded by a work session commencing at 7 p.m.