Oshkosh council rescinds Flock camera contract after ‘false statements’ Oshkosh Police Chief Dean Smith said members of his agency brought him security information about the product that conflicted with what Flock Safety representatives shared with the council Tuesday

A bizarre victory in #Oshkosh, WI! 🏆

#Flock rep falsely claimed they do not create pattern-of-life "heat maps."

"I don’t know how I can make a decision or discern what’s right and what’s wrong, or even the capabilities of the system if you lie to me," - CM Joe Stephenson.

#deflock #surveillance 🤥

An interview with Jason Hunyar who discovered that #Flock employees had repeatedly accessed the security cameras in the pool and gymnastics area of a community center!

Cancel Flock! 🚫

#deflock #surveillance

Renton police turn Flock cameras back on after updates to comply with privacy law Automatic license plate reader cameras are back online in Renton after the police department paused the system to review a new state law.The Renton Police Depar

Some "training" and "policy updates," but otherwise we're back to the exact same mass #surveillance in #Renton, WA! 😩

"Our updated policy ensures the system is used responsibly, transparently, and within the confines of state law and best practices for public safety."

#deflock #alpr #sb6002

Many impassioned speakers against #Flock and #ALPR mass #surveillance last night in #Tukwila.

Timestamps:

▪️ 0:19:30 - public comments
▪️ 1:04:24 - public hearing (moratorium detention facilities)
▪️ 1:38:30 - ALPR discussion
▪️ 2:28:30 - reports

tukwila.vod.castus.tv/vod/?video=e...

@seindivisible.bsky.social ☝️

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY During the April 13, 2026 Committee of the Whole meeting, Councilmember Seal requested to add a discussion on Flock to the April 20, 2026 Regular Meeting, and the City Council concurred. DISCUSSION Since late 2025, the City Council has been discussing the Flock camera program over the course of multiple meetings including committee, work sessions, and full Council. In January, City Administration announced it would be conducting a data privacy and security assessment in response to community and Council concerns. At the April 6 work session, staff provided a preliminary assessment, an overview of the newly passed Senate Bill 6002, and a preview of next steps, outlined as follows: • Continued interpretation and implementation of SB 6002 • Renegotiation of the Flock Safety agreement • Updates to City and Department Policies • Staff training • May 4 City Council work session with the results of the 3rd party (vendors/contractors) Data Privacy and Security Assessment & Recommendations Since then, Tukwila PD has updated its Automated License Plate Reader policy (attached) to comply with SB 6002 and provided training to officers. TPD also reviewed all fixed and mobile ALPR cameras to confirm legal compliance with SB 6002. Staff is currently planning for the May 4 work session as well as working through contract updates with Flock to bring forward to the City Council. FINANCIAL IMPACT The current contract with Flock is through 2028 at a cost of $101,000 per year.

... Public safety and public trust are not competing priorities—they must exist together. As Chief of Police, I am committed to using modern tools responsibly while maintaining strict safeguards that protect privacy, civil liberties, and lawful accountability. That means transparency in how this technology is used, and firm boundaries on what it can and cannot be used for. Why Tukwila Uses Flock Camera Technology Tukwila’s Flock Camera program exists for one purpose: to support legitimate criminal investigations and improve public safety outcomes. This technology helps us locate leads more efficiently in cases involving: • Stolen vehicles • Missing or endangered persons • Felony and gross misdemeanor criminal investigations • Vehicles connected to known threats or active investigations The City’s Flock Cameras are not used to monitor lawful activity, track individuals, or conduct generalized surveillance. The Cameras are investigative tools designed to provide objective data and information, limited to license plate number, vehicle type, and location to assist with police investigations. How Tukwila Protects Your Privacy There have been reports in other jurisdictions about improper settings, confusion around sharing options, or inconsistent oversight. Tukwila’s program is structured with safeguards that are intentional and built around accountability to prevent unauthorized access to the system or its data. TPD does not operate our Flock Camera system as an “open-access” sharing environment. We do not allow broad, uncontrolled access to our data. Any sharing configuration is managed deliberately, and we maintain local control over how our system is used. Our safeguards include both policy controls and system-level protections. This is consistent with Washington’s legal framework and the values of our community.

Legal Compliance and Guardrails Tukwila’s Flock Camera program is operated in alignment with Washington State law, Tukwila Ordinance, CJIS Compliance, and Tukwila Police Department policy, including protections that limit misuse of data for impermissible purposes. With the passage of SB 6002, Washington State has approved ALPR systems as an effective public safety tool appropriate for use in Washington State. Additionally, the state has exempted ALPR data from public disclosure requests and has created very strict guidelines for ALPR data collection, access, and use. There are severe criminal penalties for any person who willfully and intentionally queries, accesses, or uses an automated license plate reader system for a purpose not specifically authorized under the new legislation. No Immigration Enforcement Use Let me be clear: the Tukwila Police Department does not use Flock Camera data for immigration enforcement nor do we allow any other agency to use Flock Camera data for immigration enforcement. Furthermore, TPD’s Flock Camera data has never been shared with federal agencies for the purpose of immigration enforcement. I have spoken with the Director of DHS here in Tukwila, responsible for immigration enforcement in Washington, Oregon, and Alaska. I asked him specifically about the use of Flock here in Washington. He stated that his agency does not have access to nor use Flock data for immigration enforcement. Data Retention and Auditing ALPR data is not held indefinitely. Flock Camera footage is retained for only 21 days in accordance with policy and law, and then automatically purged. Just as important: the system is subject to auditing and oversight. We review Flock Camera access, share settings, and usage to ensure compliance, confirm proper access, and validate that the system continues operating within the bounds of our community expectations and all applicable laws. ...

We will continue to review best practices, ensure our policies remain current, and make improvements where needed—whether that involves additional safeguards, tighter procedures, or revised retention standards. I welcome continued dialogue. If you have questions about the Flock Camera program or ALPR use generally in Tukwila, or would like more information about our policies and oversight process, I encourage you to contact me at your earliest convenience. Respectfully, Eric Drever Chief of Police City of Tukwila

⚠️ #Flock cameras are on the City of #Tukwila agenda on Mon April 20 @ 7PM!

Public comments can be made in person (most impactful), via phone or online via Teams:

🗓️ www.tukwilawa.gov/event/city-c...

Agenda bill:

📄 records.tukwilawa.gov/WebLink/Elec...

#deflock #surveillance #alpr

It's the natural evolution of the #Ring "Search Party" feature, where Amazon's dogs look for you.

"The City’s Flock Cameras are not used to monitor lawful activity, track individuals, or conduct generalized surveillance."

Every police chief offers statements like this, but #ALPR systems are the infrastructure of mass #surveillance.

You can't avoid it by simply obeying the law!

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY During the April 13, 2026 Committee of the Whole meeting, Councilmember Seal requested to add a discussion on Flock to the April 20, 2026 Regular Meeting, and the City Council concurred. DISCUSSION Since late 2025, the City Council has been discussing the Flock camera program over the course of multiple meetings including committee, work sessions, and full Council. In January, City Administration announced it would be conducting a data privacy and security assessment in response to community and Council concerns. At the April 6 work session, staff provided a preliminary assessment, an overview of the newly passed Senate Bill 6002, and a preview of next steps, outlined as follows: • Continued interpretation and implementation of SB 6002 • Renegotiation of the Flock Safety agreement • Updates to City and Department Policies • Staff training • May 4 City Council work session with the results of the 3rd party (vendors/contractors) Data Privacy and Security Assessment & Recommendations Since then, Tukwila PD has updated its Automated License Plate Reader policy (attached) to comply with SB 6002 and provided training to officers. TPD also reviewed all fixed and mobile ALPR cameras to confirm legal compliance with SB 6002. Staff is currently planning for the May 4 work session as well as working through contract updates with Flock to bring forward to the City Council. FINANCIAL IMPACT The current contract with Flock is through 2028 at a cost of $101,000 per year.

... Public safety and public trust are not competing priorities—they must exist together. As Chief of Police, I am committed to using modern tools responsibly while maintaining strict safeguards that protect privacy, civil liberties, and lawful accountability. That means transparency in how this technology is used, and firm boundaries on what it can and cannot be used for. Why Tukwila Uses Flock Camera Technology Tukwila’s Flock Camera program exists for one purpose: to support legitimate criminal investigations and improve public safety outcomes. This technology helps us locate leads more efficiently in cases involving: • Stolen vehicles • Missing or endangered persons • Felony and gross misdemeanor criminal investigations • Vehicles connected to known threats or active investigations The City’s Flock Cameras are not used to monitor lawful activity, track individuals, or conduct generalized surveillance. The Cameras are investigative tools designed to provide objective data and information, limited to license plate number, vehicle type, and location to assist with police investigations. How Tukwila Protects Your Privacy There have been reports in other jurisdictions about improper settings, confusion around sharing options, or inconsistent oversight. Tukwila’s program is structured with safeguards that are intentional and built around accountability to prevent unauthorized access to the system or its data. TPD does not operate our Flock Camera system as an “open-access” sharing environment. We do not allow broad, uncontrolled access to our data. Any sharing configuration is managed deliberately, and we maintain local control over how our system is used. Our safeguards include both policy controls and system-level protections. This is consistent with Washington’s legal framework and the values of our community.

Legal Compliance and Guardrails Tukwila’s Flock Camera program is operated in alignment with Washington State law, Tukwila Ordinance, CJIS Compliance, and Tukwila Police Department policy, including protections that limit misuse of data for impermissible purposes. With the passage of SB 6002, Washington State has approved ALPR systems as an effective public safety tool appropriate for use in Washington State. Additionally, the state has exempted ALPR data from public disclosure requests and has created very strict guidelines for ALPR data collection, access, and use. There are severe criminal penalties for any person who willfully and intentionally queries, accesses, or uses an automated license plate reader system for a purpose not specifically authorized under the new legislation. No Immigration Enforcement Use Let me be clear: the Tukwila Police Department does not use Flock Camera data for immigration enforcement nor do we allow any other agency to use Flock Camera data for immigration enforcement. Furthermore, TPD’s Flock Camera data has never been shared with federal agencies for the purpose of immigration enforcement. I have spoken with the Director of DHS here in Tukwila, responsible for immigration enforcement in Washington, Oregon, and Alaska. I asked him specifically about the use of Flock here in Washington. He stated that his agency does not have access to nor use Flock data for immigration enforcement. Data Retention and Auditing ALPR data is not held indefinitely. Flock Camera footage is retained for only 21 days in accordance with policy and law, and then automatically purged. Just as important: the system is subject to auditing and oversight. We review Flock Camera access, share settings, and usage to ensure compliance, confirm proper access, and validate that the system continues operating within the bounds of our community expectations and all applicable laws. ...

We will continue to review best practices, ensure our policies remain current, and make improvements where needed—whether that involves additional safeguards, tighter procedures, or revised retention standards. I welcome continued dialogue. If you have questions about the Flock Camera program or ALPR use generally in Tukwila, or would like more information about our policies and oversight process, I encourage you to contact me at your earliest convenience. Respectfully, Eric Drever Chief of Police City of Tukwila

⚠️ #Flock cameras are on the City of #Tukwila agenda on Mon April 20 @ 7PM!

Public comments can be made in person (most impactful), via phone or online via Teams:

🗓️ www.tukwilawa.gov/event/city-c...

Agenda bill:

📄 records.tukwilawa.gov/WebLink/Elec...

#deflock #surveillance #alpr

Great effort outside #Flock HQ in #Atlanta, GA! ❤️

“people want the freedom to live without being policed, criminalized, or constantly watched. Our communities deserve real safety rooted in dignity and care, not #surveillance by law enforcement and the companies that profit from it."

#deflock #alpr

Unfortunately SB 6002 exempted ALPRs from public records requests so we've started to see some cities look to resume this dragnet mass surveillance.

Mobile ALPRs (attached to police vehicles) are still being reviewed to figure out how to deal with the restrictions around certain locations.

The Cost of Being Alive: Flock CEO Langley at TED2026 Flock's CEO told a $12,500-a-seat TED audience that in South Africa, "crime is simply the cost of being alive." His own company is helping keep it that way.

"What the founders feared from a standing army has arrived in a different form: increasingly militarized and high-tech police. Langley describes his vision as one where any police officer anywhere in the country can ‘share‘ and ‘cooperate‘ across borders and jurisdictions."

#deflock #surveillance

Safety Without Surveillance | DeFlock Mass surveillance doesn't equal safety. Join the movement to dismantle automated license plate readers in our communities.

#DeFlock announces a National Week of Action against ALPRs!

"The problem is bigger than #Flock Safety. Now is the time to say no to ALPRs, no matter the company."

▪️ Surveillance is never safety
▪️ Surveillance isn't inevitable
▪️ These cameras can come down

Sign up for updates!

#surveillance #alpr

San Jose License Plate Readers - Institute for Justice San Jose residents file federal class action lawsuit challenging city's use of nearly 500 license plate read cameras.

"The Fourth Amendment doesn’t allow this type of mass #surveillance state. If San Jose wants to track suspicious people, it should do what police have always done: get a warrant. It cannot just track the entire driving population on the off chance that information might prove useful later"

#deflock

500 Surveillance Cameras Are Tracking Drivers in This City YouTube video by Institute for Justice

A new federal #ALPR lawsuit in San Jose!

"In 2024 they took over 360M photographs, virtually none of which had anything to do with a criminal investigation. Instead, almost all that data reflects the movements of law abiding people as they go about their day."

#deflock #surveillance

Flock Dodges Dunwoody Question with Demo Defense Flock responds to allegations that its executives accessed cameras inside a community center gymnastics room — three months late, via blog post, and with a novel theory of what 'crime-solving' means.

If #Flock needs to live demo LE access to privately owned cameras, instead of using ones pointed at children at a community center gymnastics room, how about they use some in their executive offices and boardroom? 🤔

#deflock #surveillance

Ex-Costa Mesa police officer accused of using FLOCK cameras to track his mistress A former Costa Mesa police officer pleaded guilty to using law enforcement cameras and databases to track his wife and mistress.

More abuse of #ALPR mass #surveillance

".. accused of using #FLOCK license plate readers to track his mistress and her romantic interests.

Despite being placed on leave in December 2023, Josett allegedly used the cameras to find his mistress' new boyfriend's address in June 2024"

#deflock

DeFlock Find license plate readers (LPRs) near you.

Also viewable via the deflock site (if you want to avoid google):

deflock.org/map#map=11/3...

Most ALPR readers use a combination of visible and infra-red sensors so that they work during the day as well as at night. The plates themselves have a special reflective coating to make this more reliable.

Modifying your plate is generally NOT recommended.

State Laws Against Surveillance and License Plate Cams: What Works Best for Your Privacy A growing number of states are making laws to restrict how AI license plate readers, car trackers and police drone surveillance are used. I found the best examples.

Despite having *just* passed new #ALPR legislation, #Washington doesn't top any categories.

We missed a perfect opportunity for what should have been best in nation restrictions, so we'll need to come back stronger in the next #waleg session & continue to push back locally!

#deflock #surveillance

Unfortunately those are often illegal. Not allowed here in Washington State for example.

Privacy in the Age of Surveillance Surveillance is everywhere, from cameras to data brokers. This piece examines how privacy is eroding and what’s at stake if we fail to act.

"Privacy is not a luxury for people with something to hide. It is the condition under which people think freely, speak honestly, form relationships, make mistakes, and change their minds. Lose it, and you lose something that cannot easily be recovered."

#deflock #privacy #surveillance #alpr

How License Plate Readers Are Normalizing Mass Surveillance | EFFector All across the country, police have convinced communities to pay for mass surveillance systems like license plate readers, claiming they will help stop the most serious crimes. But once these ever-wat...

"Time and time again, we've seen police #surveillance suffer from ‘mission creep.‘ Technology that was sold as a way to catch killers ends up being used to enforce traffic violations, track protesters, and more."

#deflock #alpr

Map from deflock.org showing the locations of Flock mass surveillance cameras in and around Lafayette, In.

Here the known ones on the #deflock map!

deflock.org/map#map=12/4...

RedmondWaPD Assault Arrest on Redmond Way | Drone Assisted Response On April 6 at approximately 11 a.m., officers responded to a report of an assault in progress in the 15900 block of Redmond Way, near the entrance to a shopping center parking lot. The victim reported he had stopped at a crosswalk when a man approached his vehicle and struck him in the head through the open window, knocking his glasses off. As the 9-1-1 call came in, our Drone as First Responder (DFR) was deployed and quickly arrived on scene, locating an individual matching the suspect’s description. When officers arrived, the man initially refused to comply with commands but was taken into custody without incident. The victim positively identified the suspect, who was then arrested for assault. During a search, officers found the suspect in possession of multiple bank cards and identification belonging to other individuals. He was transported and booked into jail. This incident highlights how DFR technology helps officers locate suspects quickly and respond more efficiently, enhancing safety for everyone involved.

Here's a recent drone example from #Redmond PD that might as well have been written by #Brinc !

"This incident highlights how DFR technology helps officers locate suspects quickly and respond more efficiently, enhancing safety for everyone involved."

xcancel.com/RedmondWaPD/...

It's all a distraction to avoid you thinking about how *your* rights and freedoms are eroded to increase their #surveillance powers.

The narrative around "essential", "force multiplier" technologies are intended to make it harder to push back, even at council level.

#deflock #flockaganda #alpr

Were any reasons given for the postponement?

We put Flock under surveillance: go make them behave differently 😈 YouTube video by Louis Rossmann

You might also consider registering on alpr.watch. ✅

This is a web service that tries to automatically notify of #surveillance related items on council agendas near you. Just enter a zip code and a distance.

(chat has since moved to clippies.rossmanngroup.com)

#deflock #alpr

A heads up for those in and around #Issaquah!

Hopefully this will be widely broadcast well ahead of time rather than relying on interested parties having to register beforehand.

#deflock #surveillance #alpr

City to Discontinue Using Flock License Plate Reader Cameras - Door County Pulse The City of Sturgeon Bay will discontinue using the Flock System license plate reader camera system that was installed two years ago. After hearing overwhelming opposition during the public comment […]

Victory in Sturgeon Bay, WI! 🏆

"After hearing overwhelming opposition during the public comment period, the Common Council made no motion on April 7 to continue the contract for the next 21 months through the end of 2027."

#deflock #surveillance #alpr