Key Takeaways
- Huntington City Council approved a five‑year, $2.2 million contract with Flock Safety to deploy a suite of public‑safety technologies.
- The package includes more than 40 license‑plate readers (LPRs), 17 fixed cameras, two drones, two gunshot‑detection sensors, and additional undisclosed equipment.
- A detailed map of proposed camera locations has been released, showing coverage across major thoroughfares, neighborhoods, and critical infrastructure.
- City officials stress that the rollout will be accompanied by new policies, training, and oversight to balance public safety with civil liberties.
- Neither Mayor Patrick Farrell nor Police Chief Phil Watkins were available for immediate comment, but the mayor issued a written statement emphasizing the city’s duty to protect both safety and individual rights.
Background of the Flock Safety Agreement
On Monday, the Huntington City Council voted unanimously to adopt a resolution authorizing a five‑year, $2.2 million contract with Flock Safety, a private vendor that specializes in automated license‑plate recognition and related surveillance tools. The resolution clears the way for the city to procure hardware and software that will be integrated into the Huntington Police Department’s (HPD) existing infrastructure. According to the signed agreement, the city will receive a comprehensive package of equipment designed to enhance real‑time situational awareness, assist in criminal investigations, and deter traffic‑related offenses. While the financial terms are now public, the exact breakdown of costs—such as installation fees, data storage, and ongoing maintenance—has not been itemized in the released documents.
Components of the Technology Package
The contract outlines a variety of devices that will be deployed throughout the city. Most notably, Huntington will acquire more than 40 license‑plate readers (LPRs) capable of capturing and timestamping vehicle plates as they pass fixed points. In addition, the order includes 17 stationary surveillance cameras positioned at strategic intersections and public spaces. Two unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) are also part of the package, intended for aerial oversight during large events, emergency responses, or crime‑scene documentation. The agreement further specifies the purchase of two gunshot‑detection sensors, which can pinpoint the location of gunfire within seconds and alert officers instantly. Although the city’s product order form does not detail every ancillary item, officials have indicated that the contract covers related software licenses, cloud‑based data storage, and integration with existing dispatch systems.
Proposed Installation Map and Coverage Areas
WSAZ obtained a detailed map—hosted on Google Maps—showing where Flock’s equipment is slated for installation. The map highlights a dense concentration of LPRs along major arteries such as US‑60, Interstate 64, and the downtown corridor, ensuring that vehicles entering and exiting the city are captured. Additional cameras are planned for neighborhoods with historically higher call volumes, near schools, parks, and municipal buildings. The two drones will be housed at the police headquarters but can be deployed citywide as needed, while the gunshot detectors are earmarked for areas identified through historical crime data as prone to gun‑related incidents. The visual representation allows residents and stakeholders to see precisely how the surveillance net will blanket Huntington, fostering transparency about the scope of the initiative.
Document Acquisition and Public Access
In the days following the council’s vote, WSAZ filed public‑records requests that yielded hundreds of internal emails between city officials, Flock Safety representatives, and legal counsel. These communications reveal deliberations about budget allocation, vendor selection, and concerns raised by community members regarding privacy. Alongside the email trove, the city released the proposed installation map, which WSAZ has made available to the public through its website. The release of these documents underscores the media outlet’s commitment to investigative reporting and provides citizens with a factual basis for evaluating the merits and potential drawbacks of the surveillance expansion.
Statements from City Leadership
When approached for comment on Tuesday, both Mayor Patrick Farrell and Police Chief Phil Watkins indicated that they were unavailable for immediate interviews, noting that discussions would be scheduled for a later date. Nevertheless, Mayor Farrell provided a written statement to WSAZ that framed the initiative as a balancing act: “City Council has given us the authority to move forward, and now the real work begins,” he said. “It’s our responsibility to get this right. Over the coming weeks, the Huntington Police Department will develop the policies, training, and oversight that will govern these technologies. We don’t have to choose between public safety and individual liberty. Our responsibility is to protect both.” The mayor’s remarks emphasize that the deployment will not be a simple hardware install; it will be accompanied by procedural safeguards intended to mitigate potential abuses of surveillance data.
Policy Development and Oversight Plans
Although the specific policies have not yet been finalized, the mayor’s statement signals that the HPD will draft a comprehensive use‑of‑technology framework in the coming weeks. Such a framework is expected to address issues such as data retention periods, access controls, audit trails, and procedures for responding to public records requests. Training programs for officers and civilian staff will likely cover the ethical operation of LPRs, drones, and gunshot detectors, as well as the legal limitations imposed by state and federal privacy statutes. Oversight mechanisms may include regular reporting to the City Council, an independent civilian review board, or periodic audits conducted by a third‑party expert. These steps aim to reassure residents that the technology will be used responsibly and that any infringements on civil liberties will be promptly identified and corrected.
Community Reaction and Privacy Concerns
The release of the email correspondence and installation map has sparked a range of reactions among Huntington residents. Supporters argue that the enhanced surveillance will improve response times to violent crimes, reduce hit‑and‑run incidents, and provide valuable evidence in investigations. Critics, however, warn that the proliferation of LPRs and ubiquitous camera coverage could lead to mission creep, disproportionate monitoring of minority communities, and the creation of a pervasive tracking infrastructure. Some community groups have called for a public hearing before any devices go live, urging the city to adopt explicit prohibitions on using the data for immigration enforcement or other non‑criminal purposes. The ongoing dialogue reflects a broader national debate about how municipalities can harness modern surveillance tools while safeguarding constitutional protections.
Next Steps and Timeline
With the council’s resolution now in effect, the city will proceed to finalize the contract with Flock Safety, schedule installation crews, and begin the policy‑drafting process outlined by Mayor Farrell. Although no exact start date has been disclosed, municipal officials have hinted that pilot installations could commence within the next six to eight weeks, with full deployment expected within the first year of the five‑year term. Throughout this period, the Huntington Police Department anticipates holding community forums and updating the public on progress, aiming to maintain transparency and foster trust as the new safety technologies become operational.
This summary consolidates the publicly available information from WSAZ’s reporting, the city’s official statements, and the obtained documents, providing a comprehensive overview of the Flock Safety agreement and its implications for Huntington.