Village council addresses RR camera in Corrales

CORRALES — One of Rio Rancho's cameras was accidentally placed in Corrales.

However, the village council discussed the pros and cons of leaving it where it is during its regular meeting Jan. 20.

The Flock camera, which is not a speed camera, helps police track license plates for criminal activity, according to Corrales Police Chief Victor Mangiacapra. Data from the camera requires a subscription, he said.

According to Councilor John Alsobrook, who brought the matter to the council's attention, Rio Rancho Councilor Karissa Culbreath emailed that the camera was incorrectly placed by the contractor, not where the city wanted it to be. Alsobrook then prompted the discussion of whether the camera should be allowed to stay or not.

Before council said its piece, Mangiacapra gave some context to the camera situation. He said the vendor was told to place it in a specific location, got there and it found it was a concrete sidewalk and instead placed it in soil about 20 feet away. 

"They did ask me if it was an obstruction in any way, shape or form. It wasn't to me, it wasn't to Public Works, so that was the end of that conversation," he said.

He said he believed that if the village requested it, the camera would be moved, but he also mentioned there could be benefits to the village.

"We don't subscribe to the Flock system, but Rio Rancho hasn't given us any alerts that, 'Hey, there's a stolen vehicle or a wanted person coming into your jurisdiction.' If so, I'm sure that they would," Mangiacapra said.

However, he noted, there is a controversy about who should or who shouldn't use the data because of federal issues. "And as far as local law enforcement goes, we we haven't had those conversations because we haven't had to, luckily," he said.

Councilor Stuart Murray asked if camera locations are identified to the public. Mangiacapra said that they don't want to advertise the locations and tip off criminals to take a different route.

Village Clerk and Administrator Melanie Romero said the cameras also help with Amber and Silver Alerts.

Councilors expressed concern about the cameras invading privacy by capturing footage of people's faces. However, Mangiacapra said that the cameras only look at the license plates and the car, not the individuals driving. Romero added that license plates are public information.

"If the camera were to be moved 20 feet or 25 feet, it would be capturing the exact same data, so it's just a matter of whether or not the village is OK with having it there," Mangiacapra said.

Alsobrook thanked the chief for the background information but expressed that the camera itself isn't his main concern.

"My real intent here was that a neighboring municipality basically invaded our land and established a service that they paid for that we have no control over," he said.

He made a motion to have the mayor request the camera be removed from Corrales land before council discussed possible solutions.

Councilor Zach Burkett inquired what the village could gain in return from Rio Rancho if they allowed the camera to remain where it is.

"This is going to be half silly and half serious. I don't know what the lease space of 2 square feet of concrete is, but we need half million gallons of water from Rio Rancho, and maybe there's some sort of quid pro quo we could work out," he mused.

Councilor Mel Knight agreed, stating that they are supposed to be "good neighbors."

Mangiacapra said Rio Rancho Chief Stewart Steele was apologetic about the situation. "He didn't know about it until after the fact; it was, you know, just an oversight."

Mayor Fred Hashimoto expressed his priority of keeping a good relationship with the city of Rio Rancho as well. 

Murray asked if Mangiacapra was considering subscribing to the database for the village, who confirmed that it is being considered.

Based on the discussion, Alsobook made a motion for the mayor to discuss best possible outcome for the village with Rio Rancho. Councilors unanimously approved it.