Monroe County mayor addresses data centers, Flock camera privacy amid public concerns

What This Story Is About

• Monroe County Mayor Mitch Ingram addresses topics of data centers and the use of Flock cameras.

Why It Matters

• Data centers and Flock cameras are two major issues that are impacting local residents.

What Happens Next

• Officials across the area continue to tackle public concerns regarding these issues. In Knox County, officials and Flock reps are scheduled to meet in August to discuss Flock camera usage and privacy concerns.
• Knox County officials and Flock reps to meet in August to discuss camera usage, privacy concerns

Catch Up

• Tennessee leaders push for license plate reader regulations amid privacy concerns
• Knox County mayor calls for pause on Flock cameras, cites privacy concerns ahead of commission meeting

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) - In an interview with WVLT, Monroe County Mayor Mitch Ingram addressed two major issues impacting local residents: the recruitment of data centers and the ongoing use of Flock safety cameras by law enforcement.

No Active Recruitment for Data Centers

Despite growing utility and infrastructure demands across the region, Mayor Ingram said Monroe County and its municipalities are not actively seeking data center developments. While other nearby cities have enacted official pauses, Monroe County has not yet passed a formal moratorium.

“We’re definitely not recruiting data centers,” Ingram said. “We know that comes with residual effects as far as the utilities, the infrastructure, all of that. So no one is certainly recruiting, and it’s kind of a bad taste right now, as far as in our area too. Just like the other counties.”

The Role and Privacy of Flock Cameras

Addressing local security, Ingram highlighted the county’s four-year history with Flock license plate readers. He emphasized that when used correctly, the cameras serve as a vital tool for public safety rather than an invasion of privacy.

“The sheriff’s department four years ago received a grant for flock cameras, and certainly they have been utilized for things like silver alerts, amber alerts, abducted children, dementia patients, anything like that, escaped convicts,” Ingram explained. “I understand that there’s a huge contingent on the privacy issue, but certainly if those are utilized what they’re intended for, lives can be saved with those.”