The Village of Manhattan put the renewal of its Flock cameras, also known as LPRs or license plate readers, on its agenda for discussion after growing public concern over the technology’s surveillance and data-capture capabilities.
“I just thought it sounded like there were some major concerns about these, and we’ve been seeing a lot of stuff in the news. So, I just thought it was appropriate to have an open discussion,” Mayor Mike Adrieansen said at the Sept. 1 meeting.
The first Flock cameras in the village were part of a countywide initiative from the Will County State’s Attorney Jim Glasgow in 2022.
During a February 15, 2022, Village Board meeting, Glasgow presented then-Police Chief Jeff Wold and Mayor Adrieansen with a $5,000 check for two Flock cameras. At the same meeting, James Ackley of Manhattan business J.J. Advantage matched the $5,000 from Glasgow’s office.
Data sharing and AI tracking of the data were significant issues raised by members of the public in attendance.
“Flock defines it as a license plate reader [clears throat] that captures the fingerprint of the vehicle. Now, the fingerprint of the vehicle can be more than it was in 2022 when we signed onto this contract,” Manhattan Police Chief Ryan Gulli said.
“It is a photograph image, not a 24-7 recording like a red-light camera —something similar to what the tollway would use,” Gulli added.
The village owns the data, Gulli said; however, it does get shared.
“We share this information with 431 Illinois municipalities, but due to recent misuse of the program, I have a lot of questions about how many people and who exactly that should be shared with and how,” Gulli said.
“The problem is there’s no guardrail at the state level as to how these cameras should or should not be used, right? It’s become a huge beast since 2022 when the prior chief signed onto this contract,” Gulli said.
Data is stored for 30 days. The village currently has eight cameras actively in place, plus additional portable cameras, like the trailer used during Irish Fest, Gulli added.
Another resident inquired if the cameras have heat-tracking capability, and Gulli said the cameras in Manhattan do not have that technology.
Flock has been beneficial in Manhattan and has helped solve a number of crimes, Gulli said.
“In Manhattan alone, it’s helped us solve a burglary, a criminal sexual abuse, financial exploitation of an elderly subject, criminal damage to property, a hit-and-run accident, aggravated battery, identity theft, burglary to an ATM, a theft, and a reckless discharge of a firearm,” Gulli said.
Despite the benefits, Gulli expressed reservations, noting there would certainly be other cases of misuse, not necessarily in Manhattan but in general. He added he wanted to see laws and policy in place to hold people accountable.
“I think every cop who abuses it needs to go to jail. That’s just my personal opinion, but I think that’s a huge abuse of public trust,” Gulli said.
“When a cop pulls somebody over based off a Flock hit, it should never happen. It should never happen. Why should it never happen? Because Flock isn’t probable cause,” Gulli said.
Ultimately, Gulli said he felt that Flock is a tool, similar to DNA evidence and fingerprints that have helped solve crimes.
Gulli said that if the village decides to renew the Flock cameras, he would want the storage time reduced to seven days, as well as some other changes.
“We’ve tried to give them all the tools that they could use to keep the town safe. Now there are some concerns and that’s why I think it’s fair that we brought it to an open discussion and then, we’re doing a lot of research. A lot of new information is coming out daily,” Adrieansen said.
“It’s my job to keep you guys safe with Flock cameras or without. Like I said, we’re going to solve crimes. You know, it’s been beneficial. I believe we’ve had no officers, based on our audits, that have abused it. I hope it stays that way,” Gulli added.
“I think our main responsibility is to keep our residents safe, and that’s where I’ve been struggling with this because I have children, and this camera has been proven for child abductions to catch them quickly, quicker than probably any other way that I know of currently. So, it’s hard to tell the residents if we get rid of this that we are safer,” Trustee Justin Young said.
While Gulli and Adrieansen primarily led the conversation with input from the public, the trustees at the meeting expressed appreciation for the discussion.
Ultimately, the board did not decide whether to bring the renewal to a vote, which would need to happen before Nov. 22.
Baker Road Solar Farm
A 51-acre solar farm with battery storage is proposed for 15520 West Baker Road, which is the northwest corner of Baker Road and Eastern Avenue. The property is outside the village limits, but the village can formally oppose the project and send it to Will County, which will make the final decision.
A public hearing is scheduled before the Will County Planning and Zoning Committee on Tuesday, September 15
“The proposed development does not align with our comprehensive plan, which identifies the property for future residential use. The village also believes the solar farm would disrupt the natural progression of development in the area,” Adrieansen said.
He added that Manhattan Township also issued a formal objection that noted the developer failed to meet with the Will County Forest Preserve. Adrieansen said there are concerns about the battery storage being adjacent to Jackson Creek and the forest preserve area.
September is Suicide Awareness Month
The village issued a proclamation declaring September Suicide Awareness Month.
“The goal is to speak openly about the importance of mental health and the impacts of suicide to help remove the surrounding stigmas and to direct those in need to the appropriate support services. Suicidal thoughts can affect anyone regardless of age, gender, race, orientation, income level, religion, or background,” Adrieansen read from the proclamation.
Resident Shelly Lewis spoke about her son, Jackson, who died by suicide six years ago, and how the community can help each other.
“Over the past 12 months, Manhattan has had 12 documented calls related to mental health crises and three suicide attempts,” Lewis read, citing data from the Manhattan Police Department.
“Those numbers are more than statistics. Behind every call is a person, and behind every person is someone who loves them. So, this year, I want to leave you with three simple words. Ask, listen, stay,” Lewis said.
“Ask someone how they’re really doing. Listen without judgment. You don’t have to have the perfect words or solve their problems. Sometimes simply being there matters. And stay
connected. Check on the person who’s been quiet. Call the friend you haven’t heard from. Reach out to someone who may be struggling. And if someone is in crisis, please remember that help is available by calling or texting 988, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline,” she added.
Additionally, residents in the village are tying teal and purple ribbons on trees and poles to signify support for the cause.
Other Village News
The village approved a final plat of subdivision for Oak Ridge Subdivision – Phase 2, which is adjacent to the Prairie Trails subdivision off of Route 52. The subdivision’s ingress and egress will be on Arabian Avenue.
Turn lanes are being added to Route 52 at Bruns Road and construction is ongoing.
Additionally, Public Works requested board approval of an agreement with Robinson Engineering to investigate the sewers in Century East subdivision after “excessive sanitary flows” were found to have “constrained or exceeded” the system’s capacity.
Public Works Supervisor John Tyk’s memo to the board noted the cost, $12,300 for engineering and $100,000 for sewer cleaning, was not included in the budget but considered it an important investment. The board will add the $100,000 to the FY28 budget, and it approved the immediate $12,300.