More than a year ago — on Jan. 27, 2021. But who’s counting?
That’s when the first News-Banner story was published about the Bluffton Police Department leadership and city officials contemplating the purchase of Flock Safety license plate cameras. They seem to have garnered a lot of attention lately, though, and that leaves me perplexed.
The News-Banner thoroughly covered the process of purchasing these cameras for more than a year. I’ve personally been responsible for publishing at least one but probably more statewide stories from the Hoosier State Press Association’s story exchange program that highlighted an effort across Indiana to get these cameras in various communities. We even started publishing notes with these stories indicating that the BPD was considering purchasing the cameras too.
I recall confusion — that’s an understatement — around the city council’s 2022 budget cycle. Immediately after the budget was approved last year, it was unclear if the cameras were included as outlined in Police Chief Kyle Randall’s budget request — a request I’ll argue was well researched and presented.
It turns out the money was not cut, and a lot of attention was paid when the chief went back to city officials and asked for formal appropriation of the previously approved funds.
While some city officials have expressed second thoughts, they have since collectively doubled down on the cameras’ purchases. I think that was the right call. They couldn’t rescind their votes after some backlash. The backlash came too late; the time to act was much earlier.
We run into this issue from time to time across the board. I see it on the county government side, when citizens are up in arms about this infrastructure project or that one. They tend to be upset to learn that the project had been discussed for months without their know-ledge. They usually haven’t 1.) read the newspaper or 2.) attended the meetings where all the action happened.
It’s about that time I rhetorically ask, “Where were you months ago when this was first talked about?”
There’s a certain level of engagement that’s required to fully and responsibly participate in your government. I know I get paid for my “participation” and to stay in the know but these topics interest me as well. You can sometimes find me before or after meetings chatting with an official about a project — out of interest, not as a job requirement.
Elected officials’ actions leave an impact on our community and its future on a daily basis, and we as taxpayers must monitor their actions. That’s how the system should work.
I hope that those who are upset about the cameras continue to stay involved in their government. That’s the only way to ensure your voices are heard in a timely manner. It takes consistent, hard work to stay informed.
Reportedly Randall will report back on the cameras in one year to see if the endeavor was worth the cost. Stay tuned.
jessica@news-banner.com
