Real cost of Flock. What is this $9k Grant?
Better grant uses? What is the true total cost?
Let’s talk about the grant for the cameras on the square!
Here is the Grant form the Il Attorney General - FY26 Organized Retail Crime Grant Program.
Is the grant only good for Flock? Nope.
Nope! There are many things the grant is good for!
For example: Cameras, GPS, Mobile Forensic Tools, Maintenance, Investigation Overtime Pay, Training. FY26 Allowable / Non-Allowable Expenses!
Why not use the grant for a safer/local CCTV option, or Training?
How long is the Grant good for? 1yr only
So ignoring little offset on the first year offset… how does the city plan to fund $21,500/yr?
We already spend $22,500/yr. We’ll be overall looking at $54,000/yr for all the cameras around Woodstock. $22,500 → $54,000/yr
With the additional contract the total cost across 3yrs is $152,000 across all Flock contracts .Where will the raise these funds?
Explore the data [Google Sheets]
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Just the Square cameras ($21,500 * 3yrs - $9,000) = Still $55,800 over 3 years even with the grant. The grant only offset a little over 13%.
Organized Retail Crime?
Yes, famously the the Woodstock Square is riddled with Organized Crime. (sarcasm)
It’s hard to lock in the definition of Organized Crime in IL. But generally:
Organized retail crime typically refers to large-scale retail theft and fraud by organized groups that steal merchandise to resell through various channels for profit, distinguishing it from isolated or individual shoplifting.
If so, it’s questionable if Woodstock Square truly is eligible.
We have a FOIA out to confirm we are, and if so, how?
Alternate Options
Why not CCTV or DVR/NVR with a one time cost of ~$12,000?
($12,000 - $9,000) = $3,000 one time cost
Nearly 100% covered by grant. And no recurring yearly subscription.
Over 3yrs we’re talking about about ($56,400 - $3,000) = +$53,400 saved in 3 yrs!
This begs deeper questions
What does a flock subscription look like as prices increase fro ~$3,500/camera?
The grant requires Q by Q reporting to expense against. Who is responsible & who guarantees we don’t miss?
What happens if the per-camera price rises to $4,000+?
At what price point would the city reconsider or exit the program?
Has Council been shown the worst-case pricing scenario?
Why choose the highest recurring-cost option when the grant favors one-time costs?
What is next? What can you do?
Make your concerns heard during public comments Feb 3rd @7pm Woodstock City Hall.
Email our Council Members and Police Chief & Mayor
And Learn more: Learn More about Flock
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