Residents attend Monday’s commissioners meeting in support of sheriff’s office cameras
KYTV reporter Adam Woodbrey visited the Ozark County Sheriff’s Department this week, filming a segement on the highly discussed Verkada cameras installed in two locations in Ozark County. To view the clip, search KY3.com for “Ozark County sheriff tests Verkada security cameras amid privacy concerns.”
Several Ozark County residents who attended the weekly commissioners’ meeting Monday morning with questions about the recently installed Verkada cameras in two areas of the county, ultimately said they were in favor of the devices.
Controversy over the cameras has spread over the county during the past couple of weeks and lively discussions on several different Facebook posts and pages continues to fuel the controversy. KYTV also aired a segement on the Ozark County cameras Monday night.
At the meeting, Theodosia area resident Kim Wilson asked whose decision it was to purchase, install and keep the cameras. Presiding Commissioner Terry Newton told Wilson and the others that the ultimate decision was Ozark County Sheriff Cass Martin’s. “No county funds were used,” said Newton. “He got a grant that was used to do it. We cannot tell Cass how to run his office…All these accusations [about the cameras being used for tracking], that’s not what they are…These are not the ones that track. They’re not a bad thing.”
The commissioners also reassured those in attendance that there were only two cameras in the county: one mounted at Miller’s Kountry Store at the junction of Highways 160 and J and another located near West Plains Propane at the junction of Highways 160 and 5 South.
“So if you’re a landowner can you request one and have it put in?” asked Mike Gardner, who owns several businesses in Ozark County. Newton said individuals could buy the cameras, but clarified that the landowner would need to purchase them on their own.
Doug Hawkins, owner of Shelter Insurance in Gainesville, said he went straight to the source for more information. “I had some concerns, you know, seeing the stuff on Facebook, and I actually asked the sheriff, and he answered them totally. These aren’t some kind of super spy type technology. They’re basically probably a couple of steps above a ring camera. They’re great at picking up a license plate, and that seems to be it. I have no concerns, and if it helps find one kid or catch one criminal it’s absolutely worth it.”
The others in the room expressed their agreement with that statement.
“This was a great discussion,” said Eastern District Commissioner Jim Britt. “Thank you.”