To the Reno City Council, Mayor Hillary Schieve, and the Washoe County Board of Commissioners:

We, the residents of Reno, Sparks, and Washoe County, demand an immediate end to the expanding web of mass surveillance in our communities. Specifically, we call on our local elected officials to pass ordinances that terminate all active contracts with Flock Safety and cancel the Reno Police Department’s Drone as a First Responder (DFR) program.

Our local law enforcement agencies have quietly deployed powerful, automated surveillance technologies that track everyday citizens without a warrant. This unchecked expansion violates our fundamental right to privacy and funnels millions of taxpayer dollars into private, out-of-state tech corporations.

Why This Matters to Reno , Sparks, and Washoe County Residents

Massive Taxpayer Cost:  While the initial pilot phase for the RPD drone program was marketed as a free trial, the following multi-year commitment will cost Reno taxpayers an estimated $1.9 million this is money that should be spent on human first responders, road repairs, mental health resources, and affordable housing.
The Time to Act is Now: RPD’s program rules explicitly include a window allowing the City of Reno to opt out of the drone contract with no penalty fees before long-term financial commitments lock in. Our City Council must utilize this loophole immediately.
Warrantless Tracking via Flock Safety: Flock Safety’s Automated License Plate Readers also known as “ALPR’s” create a permanent, searchable log of every driver's daily movements because Nevada currently lacks statewide legislation to regulate ALPR technology, there are zero legal guardrails preventing private companies from sharing our travel history with federal agencies or out-of-state entities.
Erosion of Public Trust: Aerial police drones can easily peer into private backyards, apartment windows, and peaceful public gatherings from Moana Pool to the North Valleys. This constant, unblinking eye over our neighborhoods treats all Washoe County residents as suspects until proven innocent.
Surveillance technology does not address the root causes of crime; it simply erodes the liberties of the people who live, work, and raise families here also this technology can be misused by certain individuals in PD to monitor or stalk other Nevada residents which is a lack of privacy and protection.

Our Explicit Demands:

Reno City Council must exercise its contract opt-out clause to cancel the Drone as a First Responder program and refuse any future funding or renewals for Flock Safety ALPRs.
The Washoe County Board of Commissioners must pass a strict ordinance banning the deployment of automated, warrantless vehicle-tracking cameras and police drones within county jurisdiction.
Both governing bodies must enact transparent privacy ordinances requiring explicit, public city council approval and public hearings before any new surveillance technology can be tested or purchased.
Protect the privacy of Northern Nevada. Keep Reno free from constant corporate and automated surveillance.