Every morning, like so many of you, I drive through the streets of El Paso to go to work, to drop my kids off at school, or to visit loved ones. Yet, under the watchful eye of more than 150 Flock cameras, each journey feels less like a routine commute and more like an escorted surveillance tour. This invasive system tracks our vehicle details without consent, compiling data on our daily movements. For everyday law-abiding El Pasoans, this is more than just an inconvenience; it's an unconscionable invasion of privacy.

These cameras are sold to the public as tools for safety, but at what cost? Their presence entails a constant tracking of innocent residents, turning simple acts of daily living into suspect activities. Public safety is paramount, but it should not justify overreaching surveillance that assumes guilt rather than respecting our freedom to move unfettered within our community. The presumption of innocence is not just a legal right, but a fundamental belief that should be upheld in our civic infrastructure.

In recent years, the deployment of these surveillance systems in various cities has shown an unsettling trend: they primarily serve as gatekeepers for data collection, not just crime prevention. Reports indicate that while they might aid in specific cases, the omnipresence of such surveillance breeds a culture of suspicion and mistrust. Privacy advocates nationwide have highlighted instances where these records are used improperly, leading to false allegations or unwarranted monitoring of citizen activities.

Our community deserves better. El Pasoans should have a meaningful say in how much intrusion we're willing to permit in exchange for marginal gains in security. Instead of relying on mass surveillance systems that erode public trust, we can invest in community-based safety programs, which research shows can be equally effective without compromising our civil liberties.

We call on El Paso City Council and relevant authorities to reconsider the contract with Flock Safety and to halt future agreements with similar mass-surveillance companies. Let's foster a culture of trust and transparency, prioritizing measures that respect our privacy while effectively ensuring public safety.

Stand with us in demanding this reconsideration. Protect your privacy and secure your freedom by adding your name to this petition. Let us send a clear message: El Paso will not surrender to unwarranted surveillance. Sign now to reclaim our right to unmonitored movement and a more trusting community.