Suffolk County Delays Flock Safety 'Raven' System Rollout Amid Controversy

Suffolk County has unexpectedly postponed the implementation of Flock Safety's 'Raven' listening system, a more invasive replacement for its current gunshot detection technology. The decision, revealed during a county planning committee meeting, comes amidst growing public concern and instances of vandalism targeting Flock Safety's camera systems on Long Island.

Instead, officials have opted to extend the county's existing contract with SoundThinking, the provider of the ShotSpotter system, for another year at a cost of $1.2 million. Suffolk police have utilized the ShotSpotter system for the past decade.

"To ensure continuous public safety and avoid a lapse in coverage, the department sought to amend its contract with SoundThinking due to unforeseen circumstances surrounding the acquisition and implementation of a new system," stated representatives from the Suffolk County Police Department. "Extending services with SoundThinking will prevent any operational disruption and ensure the department can continue to meet its public safety needs."

Last month, the county had finalized a nearly $4 million agreement with Flock Safety for the 'Raven' system, which is designed to detect gunshots, car crashes, and "loud community disruptions." In contrast, the current ShotSpotter system is limited to detecting only the sound of gunfire and does not integrate with cameras or store personal information, according to county officials.

Flock Safety's existing surveillance network already includes over 700 AI-powered cameras across Long Island, which collect and store data on passing vehicles, including license plates, identifying features, and location information, creating a searchable database for law enforcement nationwide. Critics warn that the 'Raven' system's integration would expand this surveillance infrastructure.

While Flock Safety asserts that the 'Raven' system does not record conversations, identify voices, or transcribe speech, the company acknowledges that incidental audio, including brief spoken words, might be captured in close proximity to a detected event like a gunshot or vehicle crash. This capability has fueled concerns among privacy advocates and residents.

Despite the controversy, Suffolk officials had initially planned to proceed with the Flock Safety deal. Jed Painter, general counsel of the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office and lead negotiator for the contract, indicated that further agreements with Flock Safety might still be considered.

Flock Safety's technology has faced significant opposition nationwide, leading to protests, the formation of activist groups, and vandalism. Federal legislation has also been proposed, such as a bill by Rep. Thomas Massie, that would cut federal funding for local governments and police departments employing Flock Safety cameras. If enacted, such legislation could impact both Nassau and Suffolk Counties, as well as numerous local municipalities within them that have contracts with the company.