ACLU sues Huntington over $2.1 million Flock surveillance-camera agreement

The ACLU of West Virginia has filed a court challenge to Huntington’s $2.1 million agreement with Flock Safety for artificial-intelligence-assisted surveillance equipment, alleging the city did not follow required procedures in awarding the contract.

The petition for a writ of mandamus was filed July 16 in Cabell County Circuit Court. It names the City of Huntington and Mayor Patrick Farrell, in his official capacity, as defendants.

Huntington resident Gregory Jimison is the plaintiff. He is represented by the ACLU-WV and private counsel.

Agreement approved July 14

Huntington City Council approved the Flock contract on July 14, two days before the court filing. The agreement’s stated value is $2.1 million.

According to the resolution cited in reporting on the agreement, the contract costs $394,785 in its first year and $438,220 annually thereafter. The available reporting does not establish how those annual costs relate to the stated total agreement value.

The council vote came after public comment from more than 50 people. WV MetroNews reported that the comments were overwhelmingly opposed to the surveillance system.

Challenge centers on award process

The lawsuit alleges procedural defects in the way the city awarded the contract. Those assertions are allegations in a court petition, not findings by Cabell County Circuit Court.

The case puts a significant city public-safety technology agreement before the court, along with questions involving procurement, privacy and government surveillance. It does not establish that the agreement is void or unlawful.

The retrieved reports did not provide a hearing date or the city’s full legal response. The next known development will be the court’s handling of the mandamus petition and any response filed by the city or mayor.