Editor’s Note: A previous version of this article stated that police had identified persons of interest. JPD subsequently clarified that investigators have persons of interest and are currently working to establish their identities.
Jonesboro, AR – Jonesboro Right Now – The Jonesboro Police Department (JPD) is working to identify persons of interest and plans to file charges after four of the city’s Flock safety cameras were destroyed by gunfire last weekend.
According to incident reports obtained from JPD, the first attack was discovered around 1:45 a.m. Sept. 5 in the area of Christian Valley Drive, Mt. Carmel Road, and West Lawson Road. Other cameras were found destroyed at three additional intersections, including Lawson Road and South Culberhouse Street; West Matthews and West Washington Avenues; and Woodsprings Road and Southwest Drive.
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JPD Public Information Official Sally Smith told JRN Sept. 14 that the four cameras were struck by gunfire. She noted that there were no calls for service in those areas at the time of the attacks.
The attacks come after another Craighead County city also had cameras in its Flock system damaged.
K8 News reported that four of Brookland’s 14 Flock cameras were targeted. Cameras and solar equipment along Hayes Street, School Street, Eason Street, and County Road 928 were either heavily damaged by gunfire or torn down entirely.
Smith confirmed that JPD is actively investigating the Jonesboro shootings in direct coordination with the Brookland Police Department to track down the responsible parties.
The incidents come in the middle of a broader conversation regarding the automated license plate reading technology. JRN previously reported that at least six Arkansas cities have opted to suspend or cancel their Flock contracts this summer, with some city councils citing heavy resident pushback over data retention and mass surveillance concerns.
| READ MORE: The Flock Divide: Why Jonesboro is Expanding its Camera Network While Others Pull Back
Despite the vandalism and statewide pullback, Jonesboro is sticking with the deployment of its 55-camera network.
“The Chief says we are fully invested in this technology,” Smith said Monday on behalf of Police Chief Rick Elliott. She added that investigators currently have persons of interest and are working to identify them as the investigation progresses toward filing charges.
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