Mayor David Holt talks OKC's controversial decision to renew Flock camera agreement

Mayor David Holt talks OKC's controversial decision to renew Flock camera agreement

Last week, the OKC City Council voted to renew its $270,000 contract with Flock Safety and continue using cameras within city limits.

Many Oklahoma City residents are against the renewal and have expressed privacy concerns over Flock cameras. Mayor David Holt, who voted in favor of renewing the contract, said the city only has jurisdiction over 90 intersection Flock cameras that only take pictures of license plates.

"These keep us safe, and there's just no question about that," he said. "They have been part of so many different resolutions to many serious situations."

>> Watch Oklahoma Chronicle Below: Privacy vs. public safety debate after OKC renews Flock camera contract

The mayor told KOCO 5 that with any law enforcement tool that keeps the public safe, there's always the potential for abuse. Documents from the group DeFlock OKC show some Oklahoma City police officers have misused the system.

"Police officers have access to these cameras. They also have access to guns, badges, and cars and the ability to seize your freedom," Holt said. "We as a city have never once decided to completely take away one of those tools that keep us safe. We have decided to retain them."

People against Flock cameras worry about data sharing and privacy. The new contract between Oklahoma City and Flock Safety includes restrictions on how the company can share data with federal agencies.

>> Video Below: City Council keeps Flock cameras despite revelations of misuse by OKC officers

"The safeguards are right on point with some of those issues. This is no longer being shared with any other national databases, and the data is only being retained for seven days," Holt said.

He said there are also safeguards to catch officers who are abusing the system, adding that the city council's obligation is to keep people safe.

"It's really hard for us to be cavalier and just take away tools completely, knowing that the next day will be a little less safe," Holt said.

The contract is in place for the next year.

>> Video Below: As OKC votes to keep Flock cameras, police chief reveals 109 agencies have access to data