Resistance to Flock Cameras and Police Surveillance Is Exploding

Residents across the United States are filling local council meetings to oppose the rapid expansion of high-tech police surveillance systems. Movements target AI-powered cameras and Automated License Plate Recognition networks that can track people and vehicles in public spaces and build complex profiles. In Asheville, North Carolina, residents protested a plan to create a real-time intelligence center for local police, with a 6-1 vote to proceed. In Bandera, Texas, a councilmember proposed broad technology restrictions after the town ended a contract with Flock Safety, following anger over installed AI license plate cameras that were damaged. In Troy, New York, controversy over Flock cameras prompted a mayor to declare a state of emergency, leading to a lawsuit and consideration of legislative limits.

"Residents are filling local council meetings in opposition to the explosive growth of high-tech police surveillance systems. Local movements to rid city streets of AI-powered surveillance cameras and Automated License Plate Recognition (ALPR) networks used by law enforcement are growing rapidly amid scandals, mounting privacy concerns, and public backlash to AI and mass surveillance under the authoritarian Trump administration. The cameras and their associated systems are capable of building complex profiles of people and vehicles as they move through public areas."

"Last week inside a packed city council chamber in Asheville, North Carolina, residents who had waited hours to share a public comment chanted "Shame! Shame! Shame!" as their elected leaders voted 6-1 to build a "real-time intelligence center" for local police. Unless the city changes course, police will soon have a "wall of screens" fed by high-tech cameras to monitor a city of 95,000 people."

"In Bandera, Texas, a pro-surveillance councilmember proposed banning "cell phones, the internet, cameras, and nearly all technology" in retaliation after his colleagues in the small town voted 3-2 to end its contract with the surveillance company Flock Safety after months of debate, according to 404 Media. Residents were enraged after the town installed eight Flock license plate cameras with AI, which were damaged by vandals."

"In Troy, New York, heated controversy over Flock cameras led the Republican mayor to declare a "state of emergency" to keep using the technology. The city council is now suing the mayor over her declaration as it considers putting legislative limits on the cameras."

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