Friday, October 2, 2026
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Local residents urged the Olympia City Council to shut down the city’s 15 Flock Safety automated license plate reader cameras, warning the technology threatens privacy, civil rights and sanctuary city protections.
More than 30 residents spoke at the city council meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 18, to voice concerns about the cameras.
Recent federal immigration enforcement action has intensified community concerns about Olympia’s use of Flock Safety cameras.
Mayor Dontae Payne acknowledged on Nov. 10 that “there is fear, anger and frustration over what has happened,” reflecting community unease over federal enforcement activities within the city.
Several speakers highlighted concerns within Latino and immigrant and communities.
Representing San Juan Episcopal Church, Kathy Baros Friedt talked about congregation members who worry about being tracked.
“There is so much fear in the Latino community from law enforcement,” she said in asking the council to uphold sanctuary city values and ensure data cannot be misused.
David Webb questioned the city’s commitment to protecting the rights of residents, warning Flock cameras could expose vulnerable communities to federal overreach.
“Whose rights are you protecting?” asked Webb of the council. “If this data exists, federal agencies will take it — just as they are taking people from our streets. These cameras have become eyes for ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement).”
Many speakers cited recent research from the University of Washington Center for Human Rights showing ICE and U.S. Border Patrol personnel accessed Flock data from at least 18 Washington cities, often without the knowledge of local agencies.
Software engineer Jesse Bowes said that shows Olympia cannot rely on contractual protections.
“The cameras enable warrantless mass surveillance," Bowes said.
Jacob Greenwalt said despite Olympia Police Department policy prohibiting the use of camera data for immigration enforcement, the city cannot guarantee federal agencies are unable to access it.
Pointing to Denver as an example, Greenwalt said its leaders made similar assurances, yet public records later showed ICE accessed the city’s camera data many times without knowing.
Some people expressed alarm over a recent Washington court ruling that camera images may be considered public records.
Southwest Olympia resident Grace Fletcher said the ruling could make it possible for abusers, stalkers or strangers to obtain data.
“Once that data exists, you lose all control over who sees it and what they do with it,” said Fletcher, referencing documented misuse of Flock systems in other states.
One of the cases she cited was in Sedgwick, Kansas, where a police officer used a system to follow his ex-girlfriend multiple times.
Kevin Pestinger, a software executive working in Olympia, said the Flock platform has “more than 900 known vulnerabilities.” He said the technology is outdated and easily exploited.
Pestinger warned the Flock system is easy to hack, noting online videos show how someone could access the location of every camera in a city, and even track police cars in real time.
He called Flock camera data “a commodity” and warned that its product is the people.
“It’s scary — 1984 George Orwell(ian)," Pestinger said.
Echoing those concerns, Kyle Kimball said “1984 is far better literature than it is a model for Olympian government.”
He said Flock generates a massive amount of data. He filed two public record requests. Olympia returned more than 20,000 records, while the police department yielded over 2 million images. He said this creates a “tidal wave” of public records and privacy risks.
Julian Mountjoy added the system’s constant surveillance and tracking of ordinary residents is unconstitutional.
“Some will argue that these systems solve crimes, but public safety does not require treating every resident like a potential suspect,” said Mountjoy adding, “We cannot accept permanent mass surveillance infrastructure that shadows everyone’s daily life.”
The residents said Washington cities like Redmond and Lynnwood, and Skamania County have disabled Flock cameras, and encouraged Olympia to follow suit.
The city council will hold a study session with the police department in December to review the city’s contract, data practices and policy options related to Flock technology.
The Flock Safety camera program was implemented in July 2024 and is funded by a Washington State Department of Commerce grant of just under $100,000. The program is set to run until July 2026.
In September, the the police department provided a mid-year report on crime trends. At a Community Livability and Public Safety Committee meeting, interim Chief Shelby Parker and Lt. Paul Frailey presented statistics for the first half of 2025, showing improvements across multiple crime categories.
Parker noted the following projected reductions:
Since the system went live, police officers said the cameras have helped recover 29 stolen vehicles and aided in multiple burglary and theft investigations.
23 comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here
TheVirtualOne
I support the use of Flock and any other devices that will help curb crime. These have proven to extend the reach of police and aid in the capture of many suspects. Their presence is a deterrent and the evidence they gather can be irrefutable in getting a conviction when criminal activity has occurred. I understand that some people are concerned about privacy, but there is no such thing in public spaces. Their use by law enforcement has proven their value beyond any doubt. Only those who have something to hide would be at all concerned.
Friday, November 21, 2025 Report this
KatAshe
Having lived in London England where cameras are on just about every corner, and not liking them, there is a presumption law that there is no expectation of privacy in public places. As to police turning over images to ICE, I for one say absolutely NO.
Friday, November 21, 2025 Report this
DavidAlbert
The burden of proof in on the police department to PROVE that outsiders can't access the images from the
Flock Safety Cameras. If they can't, we can easily do without.
Friday, November 21, 2025 Report this
TheVirtualOne
KatAshe - If an illegal migrant with a criminal record is found by use of a Flock or any other device, I would support turning such information over to federal authorities to aid in that person’s capture. This is about public safety and security. Law enforcement should help track down ANY threat fitting such criteria. Best example I can think of is the two brothers who were gunned down on College Street in Lacey last week. Beyond that, there certainly could be other factors to consider.
Friday, November 21, 2025 Report this
SteveA
In an ideal world our democracy would engender trust in our government to do the right thing with techonlogies. That is far from our current situation. We are living with an autocrat in our White House, so giving him and his thugs tools to use against us is insane. How much can wee trust Elon and the band of tech bro enablers? If the thugs were following the law and actually using these tools to enhance saftey then there is valid reason for discussion. The evidence points to lawlessness by the Dept of Homeland Security and them using terror and indimidation as a tool to repress democracy and resistance to their autocracy. Get rid of the thugs then discuss FLOCK
Friday, November 21, 2025 Report this
Acadian04
I'm all for catching crooks and recovering stolen cars, but if it creates publicly accessible data that can be used by stalkers, that's enough for me to say NOPE.
Saturday, November 22, 2025 Report this
BevBassett
Creepy.
How is this NOT unconstitutional?
Big Brother is watching.
Saturday, November 22, 2025 Report this
TheVirtualOne
BevBassett - There is no explicit constitutional right to privacy. The closest thing to it would be the fourth amendment’s stipulation against unreasonable searches and seizures, which would not apply to. public spaces.
Saturday, November 22, 2025 Report this
JW
42% reduction in auto theft
30% reduction in commercial burglary
43% reduction in residential burglary
While I'm not sure we can tie all of the reduction to the Flock cameras, it's clear they are having some effect. We're taking tangible results and being asked to throw them out due to nebulous claims by the same whiners that frequently drag themselves to the city council for a good cry session.
The mind of soft on crime Democrats must truly be a remarkable place. Wait until you're the direct victim of some of these crimes and you come to the police wanting help only to have their capabilities limited because you got the spineless city council to remove the Flock cameras with your emotional pleas.
Saturday, November 22, 2025 Report this
CobraCommander
TheVirtualOne - The 'party of small government' is going all in on the surveillance state - who would have guessed? Peter Thiel and Palantir are already gathering your data, but have you hyper-focused on 'the illegals'. Some people are so gullible it's embarrassing.
Saturday, November 22, 2025 Report this
CobraCommander
JW - Republicans don't get to claim moral superiority on crime when we have a 32-time felon in the White House who is on the Epstein list calling for the death of political opponents, a federal agency acting without judicial warrants as a masked goon squad, and daily violations of dozens of established laws by every member of the administration through personal profiteering.
Saturday, November 22, 2025 Report this
Boatyarddog
I stand Firmly with Cobra Commander! And @JW you really believe polarization of Politics has a place in American Politics any more. You stand with a shrinking populace of Republicans, Democrats, and Others that see What's been brought into Politics is Criminal, Degenerate, and Wholly a Misrepresentation of America on a Personal level. Trump is a masochistic, depraved, and Unfit to Lead a Great Nation like America. Enjoy your High priced everything, JW, as well as a severely lacking sense of National Security. TRUMP has been a Con and Criminal his entire Adult life...you really think he will stop without intervention? THE E. Files Threaten to bring this Administration Down. TRUMP Knows this. Get the clue Pal.
Saturday, November 22, 2025 Report this
Tanker1982
I support the virtual one’s comments. Public safety is government’s number one priority. I have no fears of the cameras.
Saturday, November 22, 2025 Report this
DaniWaters
I do support the use of FLOCK cameras IF and ONLY IF they are deemed safe and secure to THAT SPECIFIC AGENCY in which the FLOCK camera resides! And, in no way possible that ICE access it! And if the cameras are not safe and secure (like everybody is saying they are not) then I do not support the use of FLOCK until the technology is updated and secure. There should be no reason why any other agencies should need to access the use of a flock cameras in a certain county, so if a flock camera is set up in Thurston County then the only people that should access that are that counties officers! If federal agencies need to access that then they need to go through our agencies officers so it is secure! This is absolutely crazy that ICE can access FLOCK technology without the agencies, even knowing it!!!!!
Saturday, November 22, 2025 Report this
JW
Your TDS is so blinding you can't even focus on your local community. You'd spite the safety of the community in order to score some sort of points on Trump. Pathetic.
Saturday, November 22, 2025 Report this
CobraCommander
JW doesnt know that the phrase TDS was originally used in 2016 to describe people that had cultlike allegiance to Trump, making them deranged as a result.
This is why they excuse all of his insane, authoritarian, and pedophilic behavior - they're deranged.
Saturday, November 22, 2025 Report this
CobraCommander
The best thing any county in the nation can do for public safety is to remove Trump from office.
Saturday, November 22, 2025 Report this
Wesley
I don't understand. Authoritarian statist progressives DON'T want a mass surveillance state?
Saturday, November 22, 2025 Report this
JulesJames
The harm caused to our community by organized retail crime cannot be fully fathomed. Stores closing, prices rising, jobs lost, tax base eroded. Flock cameras take the same public roadway pictures I can take and post anywhere. The numbers seems pretty clear: Flock cameras increase patrol and investigation efficiency of law enforcement. If people want to protect border-crossing criminals living in our midst over shopkeeper neighbors, be ready for the consequences of your success: boarded-up storefronts, many more high speed pursuits, more thieves and vandals smiling upon your valuables.
Sunday, November 23, 2025 Report this
Thunderchief
We have a right to privacy but not in public places. But at the same time you can’t record somebody and use that recording to take legal action without informing the person that they are being recorded. That way the person has the opportunity to decide if they want to continue engaging or. IE “you have reached department of x this call is being recorded,” now continuing after that is consent to be recorded. The person has the liberty to discontinue the conversation. Putting flock safety cameras everywhere doesn’t grant a person the liberty to decline being recorded because everywhere they go there’s another camera. We have the right to not be recorded everywhere we go. I don’t care what excuse they use to get folks to go along with it. It’s not going to significantly reduce crime rate it’s just going to invade the life of regular citizens.
Sunday, November 23, 2025 Report this
Claire
This helps law enforcement get shitbags off the streets. I favor FLOCK. No doubt.
Sunday, November 23, 2025 Report this
wolfmanner
Nothing wrong with them. And bravo to ICE. Get rid of the illegals.
Monday, November 24, 2025 Report this
MikePelly
Ben Franklin, "Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety". Get rid of those creepy stalker cameras!
Monday, November 24, 2025 Report this