Flock cameras spark privacy debate; officials defend public safety
by G. Chambers Williams III
Clinton resident Delanie Davis addresses the Clinton City Council during its July 27 meeting, voicing concerns about the city’s use of Flock cameras. Davis, a veteran and mother, said she believes the cameras are unconstitutional and invade the privacy of citizens. - ACTV
Is it now true that “Big Brother is watching you,” as the famous warning from George Orwell’s classic book “1984” suggests?
The short answer is that in some ways, yes. But it might not be just from those pole-mounted surveillance cameras supplied by vendor Flock Safety.
Our cellphones, GPS-based systems in many of our vehicles, and even some of our computers, TVs and other “connected” home-based devices – such as Amazon Alexa and Google Home – are also keeping an eye (and ear) on us.
As for the growing network of Flock cameras – generically known as Automatic License Plate Readers – they are in use throughout much of Anderson County and beyond, and despite the growing controversy about them in many areas, local leaders stand by their use as tools to help make our communities safer.
The city of Clinton has four of them for general surveillance, watching each of the main entrances to the city, according to City Manager Roger Houck, and the city school system has an additional four, placed around the schools.
Pictured are members of the Claxton Elementary School Sale Task Force at a July 27 meeting. From left are Board of Education members Don Bell and Katherine Birkbeck, Director of Schools Tim Parrott, Board of Education Chair Scott Gillenwaters, Board of Education member Jo Williams, county Mayor Terry Frank, and county Commissioners Sabra Beauchamp and Chad McNabb. - Ben Pounds
Citizens filled the bleachers at Claxton Elementary School’s gymnasium to voice concerns about the future sale of the school’s property.
Anderson County Director of Schools Tim Parrott explained the plan and reasoning behind the sale during the June 21 meeting.
The school system is building a new school nearby at Crossroads Christ Fellowship Church, 105 Fellowship Lane.
To help pay for the new school, the county hopes to sell the current campus at 2218 Clinton Highway for at least $4 million.
Residents offered a variety of ideas for the property’s future. One speaker said the site should not be sold to a private buyer. Another suggested it become a one-story senior living community.
Others proposed setting aside part of the property as a public park or including park space on the grounds of the new school.
South Clinton Elementary School Principal LeighAnn Breeden showcases one of the xylophones in the school’s new music room. While the music program itself is well established, the new classroom gives music teacher Jason Glashauser more space to use a student-led approach that encourages children to take greater responsibility for composing music, creating choreography and collaborating with classmates. - Tony Cox
As students come back into Clinton’s elementary schools, some will see updates the school system has made to their buildings.
Kelly Johnson, director of schools, gave updates on these projects at the Clinton City Council’s July 27 meeting.
• North Clinton Elementary School has a new roof over the oldest part of its building and 14 new heating ventilation and air conditioning units.
• South Clinton Elementary School has a new music room.
• Clinton Elementary School’s cafeteria and the vestibule outside it have new vinyl floors.
“They barely got that one done,” said Johnson adding she told the contractor it needed to be finished in time for teachers arriving for the new year.
Polls will be open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday (Aug. 6) for the Anderson County general and Tennessee state primary elections. - G. Chambers Williams III
Thursday (Aug 6) is election day in Anderson County, as voters go to the polls to make their choices in the county general election and the Tennessee primary election, which will choose nominees to succeed Gov. Bill Lee, among other offices.
Voters must go to their assigned precinct polling place on their voter-registration cards to participate in the election.
Polls will be open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Precinct voting locations may be found on the Anderson County Election Commission website, acelection.com.
Early voting for this election began July 17 and ended last Saturday, Aug. 1.
The Election Commission said 7,428 people cast early ballots, including 7,176 by machine and 252 by paper ballots. The county has about 53,600 registered voters.
In Thursday’s election, key statewide races are for the Republican and Democratic nominations for governor, which include three GOP candidates and five Democrats.
On the Republican ballot are U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn, U.S. Rep. John Rose, and Tennessee state Rep. Monty Fritts.
• Shoplifting: Clinton police responded to Food City, 507 S. Charles G. Seivers Blvd., at 6:25 p.m. July 21 after a report of shoplifting.
• Shoplifting follow-up: Officers responded to Food City, 507 S. Charles G. Seivers Blvd., at 6 p.m. July 25 for a follow-up investigation into a shoplifting case.
• Boat theft: Officers responded to Eagle Bend Drive at 10:39 a.m. July 26 after a report of a stolen boat. The case remains under investigation.
• Shoplifting: Officers responded to Walmart, 150 Tanner Lane, at 3:23 p.m. July 26 after a report of shoplifting. The case was cleared by arrest.
• Counterfeit transaction: Officers responded to Walmart, 150 Tanner Lane, at 12:56 p.m. July 27 after a report of counterfeit money being used in a transaction. The incident remains under investigation.
• Counterfeit currency follow-up: Officers responded to Walmart, 150 Tanner Lane, on July 28 for a follow-up investigation into a counterfeit currency case.
• Shoplifting: Officers responded to Food City, 507 S. Charles G. Seivers Blvd., at 3:46 p.m. July 29 after a report of shoplifting. The case was cleared by arrest.
• Disturbance: Officers responded to residence on Cristie Way at 2:25 a.m. July 30 after a report of disturbance. The case was cleared by arrest.
• Shoplifting: Officers responded to Walmart, 150 Tanner Lane, at 12:13 p.m. July 30 after a report of shoplifting. The case was cleared by arrest.
• Auto burglary: Officers responded to Byrd Street at 1:42 p.m. July 30 after a report of theft from a motor vehicle. The case remains under investigation.
Police say cameras help solve crimes, protect children
by Ben Pounds
Flock brand cameras are stirring debate in East Tennessee and beyond, and Clinton is no exception.
Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs has criticized the cameras, and Knox County Sheriff Tom Spangler has paused their installation.
In Clinton, however, Police Chief James Campbell has defended their use.
Clinton resident Delanie Davis spoke against the cameras during the July 27 Clinton City Council meeting, while Campbell and Clinton City Schools officials defended them. The council took no action on the issue.
Davis raised concerns about the potential for police officers and dispatchers to misuse information collected by the cameras.
“I believe that they are unconstitutional, and they go against our Fourth Amendment right to privacy,” Davis said. “As a veteran, a mother and a member of this city, I want us to uphold the Constitution above all else.”
Clinton City Manager Roger Houck looks over the menu at the concession stand at the city’s swimming pool in Jaycee Park. The concession stand received a perfect score in its most-recent state health inspection. - G. Chambers Williams III
The Tennessee Department of Health conducted routine and follow-up inspections of restaurants, food service establishments, hotels, pools and other regulated facilities across Anderson County and surrounding communities during June.
Twenty-six facilities earned perfect scores of 100 on their inspections, while most other establishments scored in the mid- to upper-90s.
Inspection scores reflect conditions observed by health inspectors at the time of each visit.
100
• Black Magnolia Sips Mobile Unit — 172 Batley Loop Road, Clinton — June 17
• Birdwell’s Mobile Unit — 108 Caldwell Drive, Oak Ridge — June 12
• Brewskis Brews and Tattoos — 142 Randolph Road, Oak Ridge — June 17
• Centennial Bluff Clubhouse Pool — 100 Centennial Bluff Blvd., Oak Ridge — June 10 (Follow-up)
• Elevated Brow Permanent Makeup Studio — 700 S. Illinois Ave., Suite A103, Oak Ridge — June 24
• F.A.T.s Hickory Smoked BBQ Mobile Unit — 106 Bennett Lane, Oak Ridge — June 8
• Good Ole Boys Retirement Fund Mobile Unit — 1201 N. Charles G. Seivers Blvd., Clinton — June 16
• Happy Camper Ice Cream Mobile Unit — 452 Yarnell Road, Clinton — June 17
• Heartland Tattoo Co. — 920 N. Charles G. Seivers Blvd., Clinton — June 17
• Inkwell Collective — 40 N. Jefferson Circle, Oak Ridge — June 24
• Jaycee Pool Concessions — 304 Nave St., Clinton — June 10
• Kona Ice 3 Mobile Unit — 350 Mahoney Road, Oliver Springs — June 23
• Kona Ice 4 Mobile Unit — 350 Mahoney Road, Oliver Springs — June 23
• Kona Ice Mobile Unit — 350 Mahoney Road, Oliver Springs — June 3
• Kool Foods and Flavors Mobile Unit — 259 Warehouse Road, Oak Ridge — June 25
• Main Street Lofts Pool — 300 S. Tulane Ave., Oak Ridge — June 2
