Although the company is now being investigated by the state attorney general for allegedly breaking state law by allowing federal border enforcement officers to access its Illinois license plate camera data, local officials say the cameras have assisted city’s police department tracking in criminal activity, finding missing people and supporting overall public safety.
Since installing the cameras in the city, they have helped in numerous investigations, including the recovery of stolen vehicles and identifying suspects fleeing crime scenes, according to Deputy Police Chief Tom Webb.
One example involved an elderly individual with cognitive impairment. An alert from the system allowed officers to respond promptly to the area their vehicle was last seen. The police officers were able to locate the person safely and return them to their fabeing invesmily.in
“There is value in this technology in solving criminal activity, as well as protecting the safety of impaired individuals who suffer from dementia and other mental illness,” said Mayor Mike Schutzbach. “The city will continue to follow all state regulations to comply with Illinois law. These matters from the attorney general’s office are being thoroughly reviewed for a full understanding of the allegations. The city will act accordingly.”
According to Webb, the Effingham Police Department hasn’t shared any data with out-of-state entities or federal agencies for purposes related to immigration or abortion-related investigations; both of which are prohibited under state law. The department is not aware of any federal government agencies that have access to the city’s Flock cameras.
“We are committed to both ensuring public safety and protecting the rights of our residents. The technology has demonstrated clear value to the Effingham community,” said Webb.
“That said, we take the Attorney General’s concerns seriously and will continue to follow all state guidance to ensure full compliance with Illinois law. We believe its continued use serves the best interests of our community; however, the city is researching the allegations of the attorney general’s office and will act accordingly.”
© 2025 the Effingham Daily News (Effingham, Ill.). Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
