Police use Flock cameras to wrongfully accuse Denver woman of theft

LITTLETON, Colo. (KDVR) — A Denver woman says she was wrongfully accused of theft after police tracked her car using Flock cameras.

The controversial tracking system, which can automatically read and record your license plate, is criticized by people with privacy concerns, but also praised by law enforcement officers who have successfully used it to track down and arrest criminals. Police can receive alerts from Flock if its cameras find a license plate belonging to a car reported stolen or connected to an Amber or Silver Alert, and whether the car's owner is wanted in an investigation.

The Columbine Valley police chief has since voided the court summons issued to the Denver woman accused of theft, but she says she should have never been accused in the first place, arguing her car was never at the address where the package was stolen.

On Sept. 27, a Columbine Valley police officer came to Chrisanna Elser’s door and issued her a summons to appear in court, accusing her of stealing a $25 package in the town of Bow Mar. The officer told her he had doorbell video of the theft and that he had tracked her car in the area using Flock cameras.

“It is locked in. There is zero doubt. I wouldn’t have come here unless I was 100% sure,” Sgt. Jamie Milliman told Elser outside her front door.

The only problem, Elser says, is that she wasn’t there, and she had evidence to prove it. She gathered dash camera footage from her car, a Google Maps location log, and doorbell video showing her walking into her tailor’s house at the time the package was stolen.

“He just kept telling me that any evidence I had wasn’t worth it,” Elser said.

In one exchange, Milliman declined to let Elser see the doorbell footage of the theft after she denied stealing the package.

“You have not been honest with me, so I’m not going to extend you any courtesy of showing you a video when I don’t need to,” he told her.

Several weeks later, Elser was able to get in touch with Columbine Valley Police Chief Bret Cottrell, who reviewed her evidence and voided the summons.

In an email to Elser, Cottrell wrote, “After reviewing the evidence you have provided (nicely done, btw), we have voided the summons that was issued.”

Elser argues she shouldn’t have needed to prove her innocence and worries that Flock cameras could be used too aggressively by police.

“They need to be used properly and with caution,” she said. “There needs to be a conversation, not a rush to accuse anybody and everybody.”

Nexstar's KDVR reached out to the Columbine Valley police chief but has not heard back.

Now, Elser is urging her neighbors to collect their own digital evidence, in case they ever need it.