Florence Signs 10-Year, $4M Deal With Flock Safety to Expand Citywide Camera Network

The City of Florence signed a contract with Flock Safety in June that commits roughly $4 million in payments over a 10-year period to expand and maintain the municipality’s camera network.

What the Agreement Covers

Under the Safe City Subscription, Florence will add new equipment to its existing deployment: nine pan-tilt-zoom cameras, 11 fixed cameras mainly positioned at intersections, two mobile security trailers and 10 community cameras intended for parks or participating local businesses. The private vendor will also update and replace hardware as it becomes outdated under the subscription model.

Cost, Credits and Contract Terms

Documentation in the Florence Police Department’s billing schedule shows the city will pay about $4 million over 10 years. City Manager Scotty Davis, who executed the contract, said credits from earlier Flock contracts were applied to lower upfront costs. Flock also waived the standard repayment requirement for discounts if the contract ends early.

"In doing the 10-year agreement, we did receive discounts throughout, and we didn't have to pay anything for the first year," Davis said, adding that the next three years will be subsidized. "It saves us money. If we were to pay the same dollars on a year-to-year basis, it would be much more expensive for the city, but the key point is we can cancel at any time without any termination fees."

The subscription is cancellable at any time without penalty if the city council or the police department decides to stop funding the program, giving Florence flexibility despite the decade-long term.

The billing schedule in the contract between Flock Safety and the Florence Police Department shows the city will pay around $4 million over 10 years. Florence Police Department/Provided

Law Enforcement Perspective

Major Stephen Starling of the Florence Police Department said the cameras and associated tools have helped speed some criminal investigations.

"Our opinion is it's a great tool, and we believe it can be used legally, and it can be used in a manner that benefits the city while also keeping the privacy of our citizens as a top priority," Starling said. "We're going to continue to adapt and change that model as much as we can, so that it is a useful tool for the safety of our city but also considers the concerns of our citizens."

Public Reaction, Oversight and Transparency

Flock cameras have been operational in Florence since March 2024. In early September, a public forum drew largely negative feedback from residents who questioned why cameras and automated license plate readers were installed without broader public input. Davis said he has also heard from "scores" of residents who support the city's use of the cameras.

Although the city manager signed the agreement without a formal council vote, the council was informed of the Safe City Subscription and discussed it at a January work retreat and an April work session prior to finalization. To increase oversight and public confidence, the city has created a FLOCK Transparency Portal and a Technology Advisory Board to gather public feedback and review department technology policies.

Current Deployment And Safeguards

There are currently 54 Flock cameras in operation across the city in addition to two mobile security trailers. Florence officials report no incidents of camera misuse to date and emphasize the ability to end the subscription if future concerns warrant it.

Bottom line: The new 10-year subscription consolidates equipment, maintenance and replacement into a single program that officials say reduces costs and administrative complexity while providing flexibility to cancel without penalty; however, concerns about privacy and public input have prompted increased transparency measures and ongoing review.