Did you know?

There are already Flock cameras installed at Lowe’s, Home Depot, and the Millcreek Mall.

Why should you care?

Flock cameras are AI-powered cameras that capture and analyze images of all passing vehicles, storing details like your car's location, date, and time. They also capture your car's make, model, color, and identifying features such as dents, roof racks, and bumper stickers, often turning these into searchable data points. They are a serious risk to your privacy and civil liberties.

These systems continuously record your movements without a warrant, probable cause, or even reasonable suspicion. You have no control over how it's used or what rules apply, leading to instances of misuse.

The Issue

We are deeply concerned about the installation of Flock AI surveillance cameras in Erie County. As residents, the presence of this invasive technology makes us apprehensive about our privacy and safety. These AI surveillance cameras, capable of being searchable by prompt by law enforcement and other undisclosed third parties, pose a significant risk to our community.

The technology behind these cameras lacks stringent and uniform security protocols, making them potentially accessible to anyone, anywhere in the world. This means that not only are law enforcement and various third parties privy to our private lives, but potential hackers could also gain access, putting our community's safety at serious risk. Flock AI surveillance cameras are being implemented in many places under the guise of public safety; however, the lack of transparency and oversight regarding who can access this data is alarming.

According to tech privacy experts, these kinds of surveillance systems often lack clear regulations and can lead to abuses of power. In many cases, data collected by these cameras can be used beyond their intended purposes, leading to unwarranted monitoring of innocent citizens. Moreover, there is no concrete evidence that these systems effectively reduce crime compared to traditional crime prevention methods that respect community privacy.

It's essential to maintain the privacy and integrity of the Erie County community. Residents deserve to feel secure and not surveilled in their own day to day lives. We need alternative and more community-centered approaches to ensure safety, such as increasing community policing efforts, investing in neighborhood watch programs, and improving street lighting and public engagement.

We call on Erie County officials, specifically Millcreek Township supervisors, and the local police department to reconsider this decision and halt the installation of additional Flock AI surveillance cameras and remove existing Flock AI surveillance cameras. We must prioritize privacy and choose solutions that reflect the community's best interests.

Please join us in signing this petition to stop this invasion of privacy and to protect our community from unnecessary surveillance.

You can learn more at https://deflock.me/