The Starke County Commissioners voted to eliminate audio capabilities from security cameras in several county buildings following concerns about recorded conversations and access to the county’s security camera system.
During a special session last week, commissioners discussed cameras in Annex 1, Annex 2 and the Starke County Courthouse and ultimately voted to have the audio physically disconnected. Commissioners also directed county IT personnel to look into replacement cameras that do not have audio capabilities.
The issue prompted additional discussion after a meeting attendee said she had previously learned that she had been audio recorded by one of the county’s cameras.
The attendee also said that while waiting for the special session to begin, she could hear the commissioners’ executive session being played through a security monitor in the foyer. She stated that a security guard appeared to be watching and listening to the executive session, and that a short time later the guard indicated by pointing toward the courthouse that the executive session was also being accessed there. The attendee said the audio was turned off after the issue was brought to the attention of personnel.
During questioning, commissioners were told that security staff could mute or adjust the volume of the system but could not turn the cameras’ recording capability on or off. The recording capability was controlled by the county’s IT department.
When asked why audio had been enabled on cameras with that capability, it was stated that enabling audio for security reasons had been proposed during installation, and received no negative responses to the proposal. Officials stated that the cameras had been installed around 4-6 months prior.
Questions were also raised during the meeting about who had access to the camera system and how recordings containing potentially confidential information should be handled, especially in regards to a camera in the EMS department. Officials said the county does not currently have a defined policy determining who makes decisions regarding access to the security system.
County staff also raised concerns regarding office staff being informed that their offices are being recorded.
Following that discussion, commissioners voted to remove maintenance personnel’s access to the camera system while a new policy is being considered.
Commissioners are also expected to discuss privately owned cameras located in county offices at a future meeting.
