Marshall County commissioner Jesse Bohannon plans to cover flock cameras amid legal disputes
PLYMOUTH, Ind -- A disagreement over Flock license plate reader camera in Marshall County is escalating, with one county commissioner planning to cover the cameras and the county prosecutor warning of legal action.
Third District Commissioner Jesse Bohannon says he plans to put covers over all six Flock cameras in the county so law enforcement cannot use them.
Bohannon said he ordered the covers Monday and is waiting for them to arrive.
The move comes after the Board of Commissioners voted Monday to instruct Bohannon to begin covering the cameras. The board also received a cease-and-desist letter from Marshall County Prosecutor Nelson Chipman
Bohannon said he consulted with the county attorney after receiving the letter and believes the county has legal grounds to move forward.
"I spoke with our county attorney after we received the cease-and-desist order. He believes that we’re on strong legal ground and then we should press forward" Bohannon says.
Bohannon also said he plans to continue unless the Board of Commissioner calls an emergency meeting and directs him to do something different.
Chipman has argued that his office should decide the cameras future because he is the one with the contract with Flock
Earlier this month, Chipman told ABC57 he was prepared to seek court intervention to prevent the camera from being covered.
"I could seem court intervention. Ask a judge to stop them from seizing someone else's property." says Chipman.
Chipman has also raised concerns about the cameras and the Fourth Amendment, which protects people against unreasonable searches amid seizures
He says failing to comply with the cease-and-desist letter could result in further action from his office.