As a student at Samford University, and like many of my peers, I believe our college should foster a safe and welcoming environment that respects our privacy and civil liberties. However, the recent installation of Flock cameras around campus has left many of us feeling uneasy and monitored. These cameras, meant to enhance security, instead infringe on our privacy and create an atmosphere of distrust.

Flock cameras capture license plate data and vehicle information, and they log the time and location of vehicle activity. Although the intention behind this technology may be to protect, it also means that our comings and goings are tracked continuously, and data about our private lives could be stored or misused. We attend college to expand our minds, not to live under a virtual microscope.

Researchers and civil liberties groups have repeatedly warned about the misuse of surveillance technology, particularly when it lacks strict oversight and transparency (source 1). There is also the risk of data breaches, since hackers could potentially access sensitive records. There have also been reports of Flock camera footage being improperly accessed or exposed, including footage of places where children gather, such as gymnastics gyms, pools, and parks (source 2). These incidents show how easily personal privacy, even that of children, can be invaded.

Instead of investing heavily in surveillance technology, the university could redirect those funds to improve campus lighting, enhance emergency services, or support student mental health programs. This holistic approach would keep us safe while promoting a nurturing environment that respects individual rights.

The cost of the cameras is also high. Public contracts show that Flock cameras cost roughly $2,500 to $3,000 per camera per year, plus a one-time installation fee of about $250 to $650 per camera. With six identified cameras on campus, installation would cost approximately $1,500 to $3,900, and the annual subscription would cost approximately $15,000 to $18,000, for a first-year total of $16,500 to $21,900. The subscription renews every year, so those costs continue as long as the cameras remain. That money could instead be spent on campus infrastructure and student well-being.

Please stand with us to protect both our freedom and our security by signing this petition to remove Flock cameras from our campus. Together, we can build a safer and more equitable educational environment. This isn't an effort to attack or criticize anyone, but simply to raise attention to a national and campus topic that has gained traction. Thank you,

Jackson Gill and Nate Purino

1. https://www.yahoo.com/news/us/articles/flock-safety-employees-watched-kids-151737512.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAIw9i_Ms0oYukYtd25LfXdHXJHRf8cMs-W97hZn3xws44yYQfezmXsw_ik0fVhlls_1TGhaMfGfm7FD95S0DSjIF6nSxRecVkYmlzDfIsY-pJW1MYj_NuMtXHy0Vkv5w96IECqV0GO248cG_x1nPV_6wtY9izWTt4TOd3JV-9aGx
2. https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&source=web&rct=j&url=https://theintercept.com/2026/09/24/how-many-flock-devices-in-united-states-300000/&ved=2ahUKEwj-8v3ylKuXAxWO38kDHbx-PWIQmL8OegoIAggACAAILRAE&opi=89978449&cd&psig=AOvVaw0HqYh3eA8sybl_ydlQuDvh&ust=1791574408616000