Residents say they were unaware as HOA installs Flock cameras in neighborhood
By Tia Maggio
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SAVANNAH, Georgia (WJCL) — Two Flock cameras installed by the Sweetwater Station HOA on Savannah’s south side were cut down last week, prompting a police investigation and raising questions about the extent of HOA surveillance powers.
The cameras, designed to monitor vehicles entering and exiting the neighborhood, were not owned by local law enforcement or businesses but by the HOA itself.
Savannah attorney Michael Schiavone said the legality of such installations depends on the HOA’s governing covenants.
“It depends on what the covenants say that were created for the HOA. If there’s a provision in their covenants that everyone has to abide by, that could include placing those in the development itself,” Schiavone said.
A review of Sweetwater Station’s governing documents revealed that while they do not specifically mention Flock cameras or license plate readers, they grant the HOA broad authority to manage common areas, purchase equipment, and hire vendors. The documents do not require homeowner approval for every security-related purchase.
One homeowner said he was unaware of the cameras until he drove past them.
“I think the HOA could have been a little bit more public. But again, I’m not actively checking the mailbox. That could have come in through an HOA newsletter that I didn’t see,” homeowner Nick Johnston said.
The HOA did post a notice about the cameras on its website, but it is unclear when the notice was posted.
Schiavone added, “The covenant controls normally. So if the terms in there give the board of directors the discretion to make those decisions, then you really don’t have a cause of action.”
Another issue raised is who can access the data collected by the cameras. Savannah police and the HOA confirmed that police cannot directly access the data. The HOA would need to provide it, and the HOA stated it may share information with police if a crime occurs in the area.
The HOA president expressed gratitude for the police department’s efforts in the investigation.
“I have gratitude for the police department for the manpower they’ve put into this investigation,” the HOA president said.
The HOA added that if the cameras prove beneficial to the community, the board may consider expanding their use throughout the neighborhood in the future.
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