The village of Homer Glen has suspended its use of the Flock camera license plate reader program following reports of policy violations involving a Will County sheriff’s deputy on administrative leave. This decision was made shortly after the Will County Board approved the renewal of agreements for municipalities such as Mokena, Frankfort, and Manhattan to install license plate reader cameras along county rights of way. Recently, the Channahon Police Department also stated that one of their officers misused the Flock camera system, resulting in that officer’s administrative leave.
Homer Glen Mayor Christina Neitzke-Troike announced a temporary ban on these cameras within village limits, pending an investigation by the Will County sheriff’s office. She emphasized the village’s need for more reassurance before resuming operations. “I want more reassurances this won’t happen,” Neitzke-Troike stated. “We are putting a pause on any use of our cameras. Until an investigation is done, I can’t put our residents at risk.”
Earlier in April, Homer Glen officials put measures in place to address privacy concerns related to Flock cameras. The Village Board stipulated that collected data should only be shared within Illinois and retained for seven days. Although the village approved the installation of 12 license plate readers, only four are operational at present, with plans to install the remaining eight postponed until further notice.
Residents had expressed their reservations, evident from a 2023 advisory referendum in which 60.4% voted against the license plate cameras. The deputy being investigated did not cover the Homer Glen area, clarified Neitzke-Troike.
Elizabeth Matthews, spokesperson for the sheriff’s department, mentioned a deputy was placed on administrative leave while an internal affairs investigation into possible policy breaches is ongoing. “The Will County Sheriff’s Office holds its employees to the highest standards of professionalism and integrity, expecting each member to uphold the policies and values of the Office,” Matthews declared.
Will County Undersheriff Dan Jungles spoke during the Will County Board meeting, advocating for Flock cameras as tools to solve crimes, recover stolen vehicles, locate missing individuals, and improve county safety. Jungles urged both the County Board and residents to actively question and hold law enforcement accountable. “If law enforcement misuses this technology, that person needs to be held accountable and prosecuted,” he noted.
Police chiefs from Mokena, Naperville, and Frankfort echoed the need for the continuity of intergovernmental agreements for using county properties for cameras. They highlighted cases solved due to the technology.
Despite the benefits, some residents voiced concerns over privacy invasion and potential misuse of the system for immigration enforcement or personal surveillance. In mid-August, Flock Safety announced policy updates requiring officers to input specific codes to use the technology after misuse reports surfaced.
Channahon Police Department’s internal audit confirmed an officer’s unauthorized use of Flock technology, followed by a departmental statement emphasizing the implementation of advanced audit tools for community trust and accountability.
Michelle Mullins contributes as a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.