Documented Incident
Illinois senator urges Flock oversight after Joliet police lieutenant indicted over plate searches
First reported: October 8, 2026 · 5 sources
A Will County grand jury indicted Joliet Police Lt. Jeremy Harrison on charges of computer tampering involving the department's Flock Safety program and official misconduct, alleging he ran more than a hundred searches for a female officer's personal vehicle without a legitimate basis and entered false information indicating the car was wanted, stolen or driven recklessly. Harrison's attorney called the charges frivolous and said he will contest them in court; a special prosecutor is handling the case. Retired Joliet Police Chief Bill Evans recommended Harrison's termination, which is pending before the city's police board. State Sen. Rachel Ventura, D-Joliet, responded by calling for stronger safeguards, transparency and accountability for government tracking technology.
The case tests whether Flock's audit-log and case-number requirements — cited by police officials as a safeguard — actually deter misuse, and it is reshaping local debate over whether to restrict or remove the cameras.
Key facts
- Harrison is charged with computer tampering related to the Joliet Police Department's Flock program and official misconduct; the allegations have not been proven in court.
- The indictment alleges more than 100 searches for a female police officer's personal vehicle without a legitimate basis.
- The Will County Board voted 14-8 on Aug. 20 to continue using Flock, with police officials defending the system's logging and case-number requirements.
- Board member Destinee Ortiz, D-Romeoville, has proposed banning Flock on county-controlled roads; Joliet Township Road Commissioner Vincent Alessio revoked permits for cameras on township road district property.
- Will County Undersheriff Dan Jungles said the removals would mainly affect the Preston Heights area, which he described as having a higher violent crime rate.
Timeline
- October 8, 2026Ventura calls for Flock Safety accountability in light of charges against Joliet police lieutenant
- October 7, 2026Former Joliet police lieutenant Jeremy Harrison charged with felonies for misusing Flock system
Sources
This summary was written from the published reporting below and links to it; BlockFlockNow does not reproduce article text.
- Ventura calls for Flock Safety accountability in light of charges against Joliet police lieutenant (Shaw Local, October 8, 2026)
- Ventura Raises Privacy And Accountability Concerns Following Flock Camera Investigation (1340 WJOL, October 8, 2026)
- Former Joliet police lieutenant Jeremy Harrison charged with felonies for misusing Flock system (CBS News, October 7, 2026)
- Former Joliet police lieutenant Jeremy Harrison facing felony charges after investigation into Flock misuse, state police say (ABC7 Chicago, October 7, 2026)
- Former Joliet police lieutenant facing felony charges after investigation into Flock misuse: ISP (AOL.com, October 7, 2026)
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About this record
BlockFlockNow documents reported incidents involving Flock Safety cameras and automated license plate readers: council votes, contract decisions, misuse by authorized users, lawsuits, audits, and community response. Every record is reviewed by a person before publication. New to the topic? Start with What is Flock?, find meetings near you, or learn how to request your town's camera records.
Updated October 14, 2026. Corrections: blockflock@bytebunny.io. See all documented incidents or search the full article archive.