KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WOKI / WVLT) — Knox County Commissioners may soon decide the future of the county’s Flock license plate reader program, with a vote that could lead to the removal of all cameras currently operated by the Knox County Sheriff’s Office.
The issue was the focus of a more than two-hour meeting Monday involving county commissioners, representatives from Flock Safety, and officials from the Knox County Sheriff’s Office.
The discussion was prompted by the sheriff’s office proposal to use state grant funding to install 270 additional Flock cameras across Knox County. The agency already operates approximately 140 cameras, according to county officials.
Removal Vote Could Come August 31
Commissioner Larsen Jay announced during the meeting that he plans to add an amendment to an emergency ordinance scheduled for consideration on August 31.
Unlike a standard ordinance, which typically requires two readings before final approval, an emergency ordinance can take effect after a single reading if it receives support from at least eight commissioners.
Jay’s amendment would require all existing Flock cameras to be removed within 30 days. The cameras could later be reauthorized if Sheriff-Elect Brent Gibson decides to establish a new program under a different process.
“This is not how the procurement process was supposed to be handled,” Jay said. “The sheriff’s office should have come to this commission years ago.”
Concerns Over Oversight
Much of Monday’s discussion focused not on the technology itself, but on how the program was implemented.
Several commissioners argued that county lawmakers were largely unaware of the scope of the Flock program while the sheriff’s office spent hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars on cameras and related services.
Commissioner Adam Thompson said the process lacked transparency and proper oversight.
“What I do have an issue with is the manner in which we got here,” Thompson said. “We had a contract that started in 2020-21. That contract was mentioned multiple times, and it fell below the threshold that needed mayoral approval.”
Commissioners have questioned multiple purchases made under thresholds that would have triggered additional county review.
Jay said he identified several purchases totaling $24,990, just $10 below the $25,000 level requiring review by the mayor’s office.
Sheriff-Elect Mentioned During Meeting
Jay also spoke directly to Sheriff-Elect Brent Gibson during Monday’s meeting, noting that Gibson was not present but could have been watching remotely.
“You’re getting a raw deal, Sheriff-Elect Gibson,” Jay said. “I agree some surveillance tools may provide some help. But in this case, KCSO put this train in motion way before we had the chance and the community had the chance to be a part of it.”
Gibson is set to inherit the controversy as county leaders continue debating whether the camera network should remain in place.
Mayor Questions Contract Validity
The commission’s concerns are not the only challenge facing the Flock program.
Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs recently sent a letter questioning whether the sheriff’s office agreement with Flock is legally valid.
Jacobs argued that while individual purchases may have fallen below approval thresholds, the total amount spent under the original contract exceeds limits that would have required Knox County Commission approval.
The mayor’s office indicated that finding could potentially make the agreement invalid regardless of how commissioners vote on the future of the cameras.
Future of Program Uncertain
Flock cameras are designed to capture license plate information and assist law enforcement in locating stolen vehicles, tracking suspects, and investigating crimes.
Supporters argue the technology is a valuable public safety tool, while critics have raised concerns about privacy, surveillance, taxpayer spending, and government oversight.
Monday’s meeting revealed little public support for the program among commissioners, many of whom expressed frustration over how the system was introduced and expanded.
With an emergency ordinance now headed toward a vote, the future of approximately 140 Flock cameras in Knox County could be decided as soon as August 31.
