A Denver resident found herself in a perplexing situation, accused of a theft she claims she didn’t commit after law enforcement employed Flock cameras to track her vehicle.
While these tracking systems are lauded by police for their effectiveness in capturing criminals, they are also the subject of scrutiny by those concerned about privacy rights.
In a recent turn of events, the police chief of Columbine Valley decided to cancel the legal summons issued to the woman. However, she insists the accusation should never have happened, maintaining that her car was nowhere near the scene of the alleged crime.
On September 27, Chrisanna Elser was confronted at her doorstep by a Columbine Valley police officer, who handed her a court summons over a $25 package theft in Bow Mar. The officer claimed there was doorbell footage of the incident and asserted that her car was tracked in the vicinity using Flock cameras.
“It’s conclusive. I wouldn’t be here unless I was absolutely certain,” Sgt. Jamie Milliman assured Elser during the encounter at her home.
However, Elser vehemently denies being present at the location, providing a range of evidence to support her claim. She presented dash cam recordings from her vehicle, her Google Maps location history, and doorbell footage showing her entering her tailor’s residence at the time of the alleged theft.
“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.”
FOX31 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.
