# Flock camera lawsuit underway
# 13News Now — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8eaq5ajxqE

A new legal challenge claims Norfolk's police
surveillance system has gone too far.
Two Hepton Roads residents just filed a new federal complaint
hoping to end the city's use of the flock cameras.
Now, Alex Little Hills is live in downtown Norfolk.
You have developing details on this, Alex
Eugene. We do. Yeah, these cameras are no stranger to drivers in Norfolk.
As you mentioned,
there are more than 170 actually of these
flock cameras across the city of Norfolk used by
the police department that can range from near
the downtown district to intersections across the city.
Uh But a new legal challenge filed Monday contends that
this camera system actually violates our constitution
fourth amendment rights.
So just as a refresher,
the fourth amendment essentially is the US Constitution protecting American
citizens from unreasonable searches and seizures by the US government.
So where the flock camera challenge comes in
is the concern that Norfolk Police Department can basically create a digital
footprint based on a person's cars movement and can basically track where
person is going throughout the city of Norfolk.
So this lawsuit stems from two local residents,
one in Norfolk and one in Portsmouth who drive by these flock
cameras every day and believe that their privacy is being infringed upon
this lawsuit. Goes on to argue their, their right to privacy is compromised.
Even if the intentions of Norfolk Police Department is using it to catch criminals.
Yeah, we understand the Norfolk PD has good intentions.
They want to reduce crime, they want to solve crimes and catch criminals,
but our
constitutional rights don't work like that.
It's not a balancing test.
We have these rights and uh even if there are good intentions behind violating them,
it doesn't matter.
So it is worth noting that although this still deals
with camera surveillance and law enforcement to some degree,
this is a separate argument and case entirely from some of the
red light camera lawsuits that we have seen across our region.
And later tonight, this evening, we actually dive into the,
between those two legal arguments live in Norfolk
and Alex Little Hales for 13 minutes now,
Alex. Thank you. In a city response.
A spokesperson said they do not comment on active litigation,
but they stand by the cameras enhancing citizen safety while also protecting
their privacy.