We received some updated records in response to our public records requests, and we’ve been speaking at council meetings. Keep your eyes open for bumper stickers, coming soon!
University of Arizona
On August 11, 2025, we requested that the U of A’s cancel its contract with Flock because of our concern for the flawed nature of the company and its mass surveillance status. The campaign began with a press release and physical presence on campus, providing information to new students. While we were on campus and within several hundred feet from where we were, a stabbing occurred. An unfortunate irony that proved our point from day one: mass surveillance does not equal safety.
Since our campaign, the University has adopted policy on its use of license place readers (LPRs), has turned on its “transparency” portal with Flock, and has made its contract available publicly. The University has spent more than $1,100,000 to date on LPR cameras. Based on the information available, the number of crimes across campus that occurred prior to the installation of the cameras in 2021 is comparable to the crimes thereafter. Students say the cameras do not make them feel safer, and there is no clear evidence that the LPRs have increased safety.
More recently, the University has purchased Verkada pan, tilt, zoom (PTZ) cameras that gather biometric data on any person in its view. They can pan 360-degree, tilt 220-degree, zoom 32x, and have a 328-foot range of view. They automatically detect people and once a person is detected, the camera zooms in to capture high resolution footage. The camera follows the person for 15 seconds before zooming back out.
We wrote to the University and Board of Regents on April 10, 2026 to request that the University end its contracts with all surveillance companies, that the University and/or Board of Regents conduct a formal, independent investigation/study to analyze the effectiveness of the surveillance cameras, whether the cost of the cameras outweighs the cost of the rights of students, staff, and citizens driving and walking in and around campus, and to consider establishing an independent committee to oversee technology the University intends to implement, to include student and staff input prior to final decisions.
A copy of our letter can be viewed here.
Town of Oro Valley
On March 9, 2021, Oro Valley Police Department (OVPD) submitted a memo to council requesting the purchase of Flock LPRs, stating that the results from a pilot program’s use of LPRs met the goals set by the police department. We asked for copies of any additional materials pertaining to the pilot program but were told none exit. It appears that the Town is in violation of its own codes, which require proof that unusual or special circumstances exist to allow the purchase of LPRs without input from Oro Valley citizens.
The Town spent approximately $1,500,000 on surveillance cameras and, more recently, drones, without obtaining input from the community. The recent purchase of drones appears to have been completed months prior to obtaining approval from councilmembers. This is also in violation of town codes, and the Police Department appears to be taking independent action with no oversight or accountability.
We wrote to the Town of Oro Valley on April 10, 2026 to request that the Town conduct a formal, independent investigation/study to analyze the effectiveness of the LPRs, along with similar requests made to the University.
A copy of our letter can be viewed here.
If you're interested in joining Deflock Tucson, please reach out via email at deflocktucson@pm.me. Thank you all for your continued support!