The Geneva County Commission has raised concerns after the city of Slocomb installed a Flock Safety surveillance camera on county-maintained property without securing a permit or Commission approval.
The camera was placed on county property in an unincorporated area outside city limits, prompting the county to issue an encroachment notice. Commissioner Weston Spivey said Slocomb should focus its public safety resources within its own city limits rather than installing surveillance equipment outside its jurisdiction. The county has established guidelines requiring approval before any surveillance equipment is placed on county property, aimed at ensuring accountability and transparency.
Spivey emphasized that county rights-of-way, which are maintained with taxpayer funds, should only accommodate items that serve important public purposes. He warned that allowing one unpermitted installation risks setting a troubling precedent for future requests.
“Freedom is rarely taken away all at once,” Spivey said, calling for broader public discussion about the expansion of surveillance technology in the county. He stressed the importance of transparency around what information the cameras collect, who has access to it, how long it is retained, and what oversight mechanisms are in place.
Spivey clarified that his opposition isn’t rooted in being anti-law enforcement, but rather centers on privacy, government accountability and adherence to established approval processes. He noted that many county residents intentionally choose to live outside municipal boundaries for a more rural, independent lifestyle.
The commissioner said his responsibility includes representing taxpayers and ensuring that decisions involving public property are made lawfully and openly.