He ordered the cameras, set usage guidelines, and had them installed in a few locations around Belmont County.
And Sheriff James Zusack has collected opinions, too, from those who are in favor of Flock cameras and those who oppose their presence, and that’s why he’s ready for whatever developments take place pertaining to their future use.
Flock cameras are automated plate readers that photograph and timestamp passing vehicles and record the license plate, vehicle make, model, and color, and they are manufactured by Flock Safety.
“I understand people think their privacy’s being invaded, but it’s really not,” Zusack insisted. “I’ve said this from the beginning – if you haven’t done anything wrong, you don’t have anything to worry about. I know people try to say that it’s not true, but it really is.
“If something would happen to your loved one, I’m sure the people involved who say they don’t like this system would want us to use it to help them in their time of need,” he said. “The Flock system has been a great asset for us since they were installed, and that’s why I stand by them despite the critics. I know we use the system for all the right reasons.”
Zusack’s internal system, he explained, restricts access now.
“No one uses the system unless there’s a reason to do so,” he explained. “You have to have a case number or some kind of incident or emergency to gain access to the system. I hope the people of Belmont County realize this is not something that we utilize unprofessionally in any way, and I hope they know that it’s a system that helps us tremendously.
“We have several cases right now that have involved the Flock system, and I can tell you the involved families are very happy that we have those cameras,” said Zusack, who started his law enforcement career with the Belmont County Sheriff’s Office in the early 1990s. “In some cases, the cameras have helped us get bad people off the streets, and in others, it’s been about finding someone who took something that didn’t belong to them.”
And if someone figures out how to manipulate the camera’s capabilities?
“Oh, listen, if we find out someone has been abusing Flock, they will be held responsible. I’ve told our deputies that, and I’m telling that to the residents of Belmont County,” Zusack insisted. “Our men and women know it. They’ve been trained, and I’ve been very open with them about how the system is supposed to be used and how it’s not.
“It’s no different than us running your plate,” he said. “That’s how we’ve always accessed the information that we’ve needed while on patrol or while investigating a case. It’s how law enforcement figures out who they’re dealing with while keeping the people of the county safe.”
But, What If?
For several investigative steps, law enforcement must be granted court-ordered search warrants to ensure oversight, and if acquiring the information collected by ALPRs like Flock requires the process, so be it, says the Sheriff.
“If that’s the case, that’s what we’ll do. If it comes to that, no problem, we’ll file the warrant, and we’ll enter the vehicle info and go on from there,” Zusack said. “It’s a great tool for us. It’s an asset, and it’s the same information we get when we run a plate when someone gets pulled over for whatever reason. So, if we’re told that a warrant is necessary, I’ll have no issue whatsoever.
“If that’s what the people want, that’s fine with me because we work for the people. Not only is that how we are compensated for what we do, but the people are our focus. The people are why we do everything we do,” he explained. “Our number one priority is always to protect the people. That’s all we think about while we’re on the job.”
Now that the use of Flock cameras has become so popular across the country, concerns over privacy have become a prevalent issue during the current general election cycle. Zusack, in fact, has caught a lot of flak for his decision to deploy the technology.
“I have zero reasons to collect information on anyone. If they give law enforcement a reason, then that’s a different story,” Zusack said. “I first found out about the Flock system about a year and a half ago after our drug unit came to me and told me how helpful it would be. That’s when I started looking at its potential.
“Ever since they were put into place, a big difference has been made thanks to the information they provide when we need it most,” he said. “They keep the people in the county safe. I can’t express that enough. That’s why if we need a warrant to use the system, that’ll be just fine with me.”
Smile! You’re On Camera!
Network connections for cellular devices can track location with the use of cell towers, and some smartphone apps collect information on habit records and consumer behavior.
Home security has never been more robust in the United States, roadway cameras are common these days, and so are turnpikes with ALPR toll takers and online device fingerprinting that monitors what users click, buy, and search across the internet.
“These days, there are cameras everywhere we go,” said Zusack, who announced two weeks ago he would run for a second term in 2028. “You’re on cameras when you go into Walmart and while in most stores and restaurants these days, and even when you’re walking in neighborhoods because so many people have RING doorbells or their own cameras. That’s more popular than ever.
“So, Flock is Flock, and there’s no question these cameras have helped us here in Belmont County,” he said. “I believe Flock keeps people safe, and I will stand by that.”
Zusack is on Facebook, so he’s seen the positivity and appreciation, and he’s read the complaints and criticisms, too. The sheriff is also aware of the traffic apps that reveal camera locations and that people post warnings about Flock use, and that drivers still flash their headlights to warn other-side motorists of the presence of law enforcement.
“People have the right to say what they want to say, and they can post whatever they want. And, you know, folks have been flashing their lights on roads to warn about police for a long time. That’s all OK with me,” he said. “And that’s because it all slows people down and that’s all we want.”
