(PENSACOLA) --- Councilwoman Jennifer Braiher asked the elephant-in-the-room question directly to Police Chief Eric Winstrom at the April 23 city council meeting.
"In those various usages that you've been involved with, how often are flock cameras used to stop an opioid overdose?" Brahier asked.
Her question comes directly from rumors that have proven true: Mayor D.C. Reeves paid for a nearly $200K Flock contract with Opioid Abatement Settlement funds without the council's approval.
(Photo: With one simple question, Councilwoman Jennifer Brahier made it clear Thursday night that the prior use of Opioid Abatement Settlement funds for Flock is not acceptable)
The last-minute agenda item added to the Agenda Conference meeting approving the city's use of more Opioid Settlement funds raised further concerns for Flock protestors at the meeting.
While Winstrom attempted to address public concerns to WEAR, he did not respond directly to the public or council until Thursday. Councilmembers Brahier and Charles Bare did not show immediate concern, as they do now.
Whether it was the Flock Rally, the petition circulating the community, or the passionate podium stance they've taken every other Thursday for three months, beginning in January, set Thursday's meeting apart.
"We need a process of accountability from the mayor," Sol Alfonso, Defensa Gulf Coast organizer, said his first time at the podium.
(Photo: Sol Alfonso, Defensa Gulf Coast organizer, telling Mayor D.C. Reeves Flock contract must be canceled)
The OpGov.News platform covered the meeting, noting that the issue became a central point of contention, overshadowing other agenda items despite the police chief's reassurances about safeguards on the Flock system.
Bare was not reassured and asked if the police department could abuse Flock.
According to Winstrom, he hires humans, whom he can't control.
(Photo: Pensacola Police Chief Eric Winstrom addressing Flock protestors, city council, Thursday, April 23)
"There have been police officers who have gone to prison because of abuse, and I certainly will not tolerate that in the Pensacola Police Department or anyone who has access to our database," Winstrom said.
Bare's next question.
"You're saying that the entire flock of the company is never hacked?" Bare asked, before told no. "I find that hard to believe."
Resident Lois Barlow reminded the council of their power during his three minutes, urging them to consider a council attorney separate from the city attorney, as they have discussed in the past.
Alex Hatley reiterated the public's First and Fourth Amendment rights, citing violations and specifically noting the alleged misuse of Flock cameras used by ICE.
"I am a huge fan of the First Amendment. It's one of my favorite amendments, as well as the Fourth Amendment," Winstrom said. "Part of that is making sure that we're doing the right thing by the people of Pensacola, so we have a draft policy that will be made public very soon."
As for ICE, again, no worries, according to Winstrom.
"I know there have been concerns about ICE, and there have been uses of immigration enforcement," Winstrom said. "We don't use our cameras for immigration enforcement."
But all of the chief's assurances were moot, with protestors putting the pressure on Reeves, who left the dais for a time, pointed out by resident Diego Manuel Negron.
(Photo: Diego Manuel Negron challenged Police Chief Winstrom, Mayor Reeves on Flock, use of opioid litigation funds)
"It's interesting, the mayor leaves every single time something could be unfavorable towards him," Negron said, adding to the potential consequences for Reeves. "The longer you wait to deal with this, the seeds of distrust that you've sown a year ago will continue to grow, and it will infect decisions being made in the future and will taint your campaign for reelection."
Lastly, like Councilman Bare, Negron also challenged Winstrom, stating Flock cameras have, in fact, been hacked, citing reports of leaked police logins.
Sam Epstein brought data to the podium, noting numerous false accusations, beatings, and wrongful detentions in other cities. But it was "unilateral approval" of the system using the Opioid Abatement Settlement Fund to do so, that upset Epstein most.
Casey Harris also argued for data points and called for clear policies on data collection and retention. Not to mention sharing limits, public contract disclosure, and independent oversight.
Winstrom went down calling Flock "a very valuable tool," citing the recent Destin arrest of a man on his way to commit a mass shooting in New Orleans.
Just when the meeting's focus began to shift away from Flock, it was back on when future Opioid Abatement funds were added to the agenda, which could result in another $25K to the city.
(Photo: Summary of approval to remain a plaintiff in opioid litigation settlement)
"The key with this agenda item is that it is not an appropriation or an expenditure," Council President Allison Patton said, adding any approval was only to allow continued participation in the settlement. "Any appropriation or expenditure would require separate action."
Alfonso stepped back up to the podium, letting officials know he is watching every move regarding the funds.
"In the agenda conference, it was said that it's possible to put in a stipulation, for if these funds were to be used for any kind of services, for that to go to the council so you guys can approve whether or not that will happen or not," Alfonso said.
Pepper McQuffins also addresses Reeves directly this week, saying, "If we receive opioid abatement crisis funds, they will be allocated towards programs in the community to help people with opioid addiction."
(Photo: Pepper McQuiffins demands future Flock funds do not end up in the mayor's hands)
She ended with appreciation for Brahier and Bare for advocating for the community's interests and pushing for responsible use of these funds, thereby being a voice of the people."
Hatley made sure the point also got across.
"Going forward, there needs to be something, something put in place where these funds cannot go and be used in the same way the mayor did before," Hatley said.
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