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ACLU of Rhode Island Criticizes Lack of Transparency in Police Surveillance Camera Data Sharing

ACLU of Rhode Island Criticizes Lack of Transparency in Police Surveillance Camera Data Sharing

The ACLU of Rhode Island has issued a critique regarding the transparency of surveillance camera data sharing among local police departments and agencies, particularly concerning Flock Safety cameras. Despite claims of transparency by Flock Safety and local police, an ACLU investigation revealed a different reality. Many police departments are not posting crucial data on their 'transparency portals,' which are public pages intended to provide statistics on automated license plate reader (ALPR) camera usage. Specifically, at least six municipalities do not list which other police departments or agencies they share information with, and nearly all police departments fail to indicate which agencies they receive surveillance data from. Furthermore, Coventry and the Rhode Island State Police do not provide a public portal at all. The ACLU also noted that Flock Safety has intentionally excluded its online presence from the Internet Archive's Wayback Machine, hindering independent verification of its past operati...

Las Cruces Police Department Launches Transparency Portal for Flock Camera Usage

Las Cruces Police Department Launches Transparency Portal for Flock Camera Usage

The Las Cruces Police Department (LCPD) has introduced a Flock Camera Transparency Portal to address public concerns regarding privacy and the use of Flock automatic license plate readers (ALPRs). This initiative includes a video explanation of how the technology is utilized. The portal provides comprehensive information, such as data retention policies, usage summaries, and details on what the cameras detect. According to the LCPD, data collected by Flock cameras is retained for 30 days before being automatically deleted. The portal clarifies that these cameras detect license plates and vehicles but do not identify faces, people, gender, or race. It also outlines LCPD's use policy and specifies prohibited uses of the technology. The department emphasizes that the system aims to capture objective evidence without compromising individual privacy. This launch coincides with the El Paso City Council's unanimous vote to remove all Flock ALPRs and to prevent new contracts with Flock Safety unless directed by th...

Wilmington Police Department Terminates Flock Safety Contract Amid Privacy Concerns

Wilmington Police Department Terminates Flock Safety Contract Amid Privacy Concerns

The Wilmington Police Department has announced the termination of its contract with Flock Safety, a company providing automatic license plate reading (ALPR) cameras. This decision comes in response to growing privacy concerns expressed by the community regarding the use of such surveillance technology. The department currently operates two cameras, one installed in March 2023 at Middlesex Avenue and Federal Street, and another in June 2024 on Main Street at Bridge Lane. Both cameras are slated for removal as soon as possible. The police department stated that while ALPR cameras have been instrumental in investigations, community privacy concerns and questions about Flock Safety's data usage now outweigh the continued deployment of the equipment. The department anticipates receiving a $2,500 refund due to the early termination of the contract, which was originally set to expire on February 27, 2027. Wilmington joins at least 31 other Massachusetts municipalities that have either canceled or paused their use...

UltraViolet Launches 'Drop Flock' Campaign Urging Ulta Beauty to Remove Surveillance Cameras

UltraViolet Launches 'Drop Flock' Campaign Urging Ulta Beauty to Remove Surveillance Cameras

UltraViolet, a national gender justice organization, has initiated a campaign titled 'Drop Flock' against Ulta Beauty, calling for the cosmetics retailer to discontinue its use of automated license-plate reader (ALPR) cameras from Flock Safety. The organization argues that these surveillance systems pose a threat to customer privacy and could disproportionately affect women and gender-expansive individuals. UltraViolet's petition, launched this month, has already garnered over 15,000 signatures. Jenna Sherman, UltraViolet Campaign Director, stated that Ulta Beauty's use of an invasive mass surveillance system without customer knowledge or consent violates the trust it has built with its predominantly female customer base. The campaign highlights concerns about the potential misuse of ALPR data, citing instances where law enforcement officers allegedly used similar systems for unauthorized tracking, including stalking women or monitoring visits to abortion clinics. Flock Safety, in response to privacy conce...

Racine Common Council Votes to Terminate Flock Safety Camera Contract Amid Privacy Concerns

Racine Common Council Votes to Terminate Flock Safety Camera Contract Amid Privacy Concerns

The Racine Common Council has voted 8 to 6 to terminate the city's contract with Flock Safety, a company providing license plate reader cameras. This decision follows nearly two hours of public debate that centered on balancing public safety needs with residents' data privacy concerns. Despite the vote, the Flock cameras will remain active for an additional 30 days to provide the police department with a grace period. Racine Police Chief Alexander Ramirez stated that the department has utilized Flock cameras since 2022, considering them a valuable tool for solving crimes such as shootings, homicides, missing persons cases, and stolen vehicle investigations. He noted a 57% reduction in shootings and shots fired incidents since 2022. However, privacy concerns were a significant factor in the council's decision, with residents and Alder Jens Jorgensen emphasizing the will of the people regarding data privacy. Resident Madeline Thompson also highlighted that two officers had been investigated for allegedly mis...

Montana Senate Candidate Seth Bodnar Destroys Surveillance Camera in Campaign Ad, Escalating Privacy Debate

Montana Senate Candidate Seth Bodnar Destroys Surveillance Camera in Campaign Ad, Escalating Privacy Debate

Montana independent Senate candidate Seth Bodnar released a campaign video showing himself destroying a Flock Safety surveillance camera with a shotgun. The ad positions Bodnar as a vocal opponent of unchecked surveillance, arguing that Flock cameras track Americans' daily activities, including grocery shopping, church attendance, and doctor visits. Bodnar claims these devices collect more than just traffic data, storing identifying information in cloud systems susceptible to misuse. Flock Safety, which operates over 120,000 cameras across 49 states, maintains it does not sell or access user data and that law enforcement agencies own the collected information. This incident highlights a growing national backlash against automated license plate readers, with federal investigations, statewide bans, and criminal cases mounting against the technology. Bodnar's action follows a similar incident in Tennessee where a House candidate was charged with felony vandalism for shooting Flock cameras.

Congressman Michael Cloud Co-Introduces Bipartisan 'No FLOCK Act' to Curb License Plate Reader Abuse

Congressman Michael Cloud Co-Introduces Bipartisan 'No FLOCK Act' to Curb License Plate Reader Abuse

Congressman Michael Cloud (R-TX) and Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) have jointly introduced the bipartisan No FLOCK Act (No Federal License-Plate Observation and Camera Keeping Act). This legislation aims to address and prevent the misuse of automated license plate reader systems, such as those provided by Flock Safety. The introduction of the bill follows a Washington Post investigation that uncovered at least 69 instances where police officials were accused, charged, or convicted of abusing these systems. These abuses included tracking spouses, romantic partners, and acquaintances for personal reasons. The proposed act seeks to establish clear limits on the use of these technologies, ensuring they are primarily used for legitimate public safety and toll enforcement purposes, rather than enabling mass surveillance that could infringe upon Fourth Amendment rights. Congressman Cloud emphasized that taxpayers should not fund surveillance that erodes civil liberties, advocating for a balance between p...

Kemmerer Surveillance Cameras Spark Privacy Debate Amidst Misinformation

Kemmerer Surveillance Cameras Spark Privacy Debate Amidst Misinformation

The city of Kemmerer, Wyoming, is embroiled in a privacy debate following the installation of new surveillance cameras, which were mistakenly identified on social media as 'Flock cameras.' This misidentification led to public outcry and concerns about police surveillance and personal privacy. Kemmerer Police Chief Michael Kahre clarified that the cameras are standard surveillance devices, similar to those used by businesses and schools, and are not part of the Flock Safety system or equipped with automated license-plate reader technology. Mayor Robert Bowen stated that the city had already purchased the cameras and that they do not collect data, are not routinely monitored in real-time, and lack artificial intelligence or facial recognition capabilities. Town Attorney Jason Petri provided a legal opinion to the city council, asserting that the cameras do not violate residents' privacy rights, citing U.S. Supreme Court decisions on the expectation of privacy in public places. The cameras were funded by indu...

Jonesboro Police Identify Persons of Interest After Four Flock Safety Cameras Destroyed by Gunfire

Jonesboro Police Identify Persons of Interest After Four Flock Safety Cameras Destroyed by Gunfire

The Jonesboro Police Department (JPD) is actively investigating the destruction of four Flock safety cameras by gunfire last weekend. According to incident reports obtained from JPD, the first attack was discovered around 1:45 a.m. on September 5, in the area of Christian Valley Drive, Mt. Carmel Road, and West Lawson Road. Additional cameras were found damaged at three other intersections: Lawson Road and South Culberhouse Street; West Matthews and West Washington Avenues; and Woodsprings Road and Southwest Drive. JPD Public Information Official Sally Smith confirmed on September 14 that the cameras were struck by gunfire and noted that there were no calls for service in those areas at the time of the attacks. The JPD has identified persons of interest and is working to establish their identities as the investigation progresses toward filing charges. This incident follows similar attacks in Brookland, another city in Craighead County, where four of its 14 Flock cameras were also targeted and damaged by gu...

Two Peachtree City Officers Removed After Flock Safety Audit Reveals Misconduct

Two Peachtree City Officers Removed After Flock Safety Audit Reveals Misconduct

Two officers from the Peachtree City Police Department in metro Atlanta have been removed from service following an internal audit of the department's use of Flock Safety technology. The audit uncovered two distinct incidents involving the misuse of this technology. Each instance was independently flagged, leading to an immediate referral to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) for an independent criminal investigation. The Peachtree City Police Department confirmed that both officers involved are no longer employed by the department. The GBI has acknowledged that an investigation is underway but has not released specific details regarding the individuals under investigation or the nature of the misconduct.

Valparaiso Board Approves Expanded Policy on License Plate Readers Amid National Privacy Concerns

Valparaiso Board Approves Expanded Policy on License Plate Readers Amid National Privacy Concerns

The Valparaiso Board of Works and Safety unanimously approved an amendment to the police department’s automatic license plate reader (ALPR) policy. The updated policy, expanded from three-and-a-half to five-and-a-half pages and from two to six categories, now covers manual and historical searches, authorized users and training, data access and retention, audit and accountability, and misuse. This amendment comes as the use of ALPRs, often referred to as Flock cameras, faces increased scrutiny nationally and locally due to privacy concerns. Valparaiso Police Chief Andrew McIntyre stated the proactive approach aims to ensure the technology is not used for surveillance or monitoring individuals. The department emphasizes that ALPRs are to be used only for legitimate law enforcement reasons, such as identifying wanted individuals or stolen vehicles, and not for arbitrary license plate checks. The policy clarifies that Flock data is retained for 30 days and provides only vehicle description and location, withou...

Oregon Cities and Counties Suspend Flock Camera Contracts Amid Privacy Concerns

Oregon Cities and Counties Suspend Flock Camera Contracts Amid Privacy Concerns

At least six cities and two counties in Oregon have either canceled or suspended their contracts with Flock, a company providing AI-powered license plate reader cameras, due to growing concerns over privacy and data security. This widespread distrust of Flock cameras has intensified over the past year across both Republican and Democratic areas of the state. Critics, including the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the sheriff of Josephine County, argue that these cameras constitute an invasion of privacy by tracking motorists even when no crime is suspected. State lawmakers from both parties have also pledged to introduce legislation aimed at banning these AI-powered camera networks, which currently capture license plate numbers at over 500 locations in Oregon.