CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – Visitors to certain Montgomery County offices will soon have their temperatures scanned as they enter the building, and anyone spiking a fever will be stopped and asked to leave the premises.

The Montgomery County Commission in July unanimously approved the use of thermal imaging technology in select county facilities as a means of preventing the spread of COVID-19.

In recent weeks, counties across Tennessee have begun taking additional steps to slow the spread of coronavirus, from countywide mask orders to mandated closing times for bars and restaurants. These increased precautions have brought criticism from some citizens who feel that local governments have overstepped their bounds in the name of public health and safety.

Resolution 20-7-8, sponsored by Commissioner Joe Creek and Mayor Jim Durrett, concerns the adoption and implementation of a “policy regarding the deployment and use of thermal camera temperature scanners to be used in certain designated county facilities and certain designated county functions.”

The resolution was passed unanimously with all commissioners present following a vote to suspend commission rules. Rules were suspended for the vote because the resolution was received by the Budget Committee after their July meeting and was not reviewed by them.

 

The technology referenced by 20-7-8 includes dual cameras with both regular and thermal functions, a computer system with monitoring software and tripod mounts. The county purchased the equipment using funds acquired through Resolution 20-6-10, ” which was passed June and accepted $58,008 in funds from the Department of Justice and appropriated $30,500 from the county’s general fund for the combating the COVID-19 pandemic.

Where the cameras will go

According to Montgomery County Director of Communications Michelle Newell, thermal camera systems will be installed in the following locations:

  • Courts Center – main entrance and sally port entrance
  • Jail – employee entrance and arrestee entrance
  • Public Safety Complex – employee entrance and public entrance
  • Historic Courthouse
  • County workhouse

Two systems will be reserved for portable use at functions or temporarily at other locations, such as the Civic Hall or Election Commission.

How the cameras will work

The cameras will allow operators to monitor the skin temperatures of people entering county facilities. Any person with a temperature of 100.4 F or higher will be “red flagged.” Flagged individuals will be asked to remain in a cool area for at least 5 minutes before being rescanned by the system. If the temperature remains above 104 F, they will not be allowed into the facility.

Operators will be responsible for notifying related parties should a visitor miss an appointment or court appearance due to being flagged.

County Attorney Tim Harvey emphasized the importance of this particular point, during a Budget Committee discussion on June 23. “The reason a policy is important is if a person is showing up for their first charge on a criminal charge, if we deny them access to the building, there’s going to be a capias warrant issued for their arrest.”

The notification process will address that issue.

The resolution states that only Montgomery County employees with proper training and a signed non-disclosure agreement will be able to access the cameras and that images and information will not be saved or distributed in any way. Data space on the camera is limited and will be overwritten as new data is added. Areas with cameras will have signage informing the public of their use.

To read the full resolution, click here and go to Page 80.