Our beloved home of Twentynine Palms is under threat from the recent introduction of more than 20 surveillance cameras, putting the safety and privacy of our residents and community at risk. 

Lees en Español.

-

Flock cameras, initially intended to enhance public safety, are flawed and easily hacked. That’s why 40 cities across the country have decided to cancel their contracts with Flock.

RISKS:

• Assault of our 4th Amendment right to privacy. Flock cameras capture details on every vehicle that passes by. Not only license plates, but also personal data. This creates a searchable record of where everyone has been, at any time, without a warrant or probable cause.
  
  
• Innocent people are wrongfully targeted with no accountability for Flock errors. Mistakes caused by Flock’s use of AI have resulted in innocent people being detained and mistreated, leading to expensive legal settlements for cities. Flock takes no accountability for these mistakes.
  
  
• Flock’s weak security practices are a dream come true for hackers and stalkers. At least 35 Flock customer accounts have been stolen and sold on the dark web. At least 60 Flock cameras were accidentally exposed on the internet with no password, potentially allowing stalkers and child predators to spy on potential victims. Flock accidentally shared access to personal information that puts both residents and officers at risk. Two US Congress members are calling for an FTC investigation into their negligence as it endangers our national security.
  
  
• Flock cameras are a waste of our money. According to the Twentynine Palms’ City Manager’s staff report, the first year cost of these cameras in our city was $130,200 and the annual recurring cost is $102,300.
  
  
• Our personal information can be accessed by ICE and other agencies across the country. This is built into Flock’s business model and contracts and it means that our City doesn’t have the ability to protect our data, despite SB 34 which prohibits law enforcement agencies from sharing ALPR data with other states and federal agencies. The Attorney General is actively pursuing legal action against the city of El Cajon for exactly this reason.
  
  

Flock surveillance cameras don’t make us safer, they make us vulnerable targets, and they erode community trust. Flock cameras are tools that can too easily be misused or abused and it’s the residents of 29 Palms who will suffer the consequences

In addition to the risks above, our residents (friends, family, neighbors) are increasingly worried about this surveillance, and are engaging less in the community because of it. We often choose to stay in unless needed, and avoid businesses/roads near Flock cameras.

We’re looking forward to engaging  in our city again without being at risk!

-

Therefore, as citizens of Twentynine Palms,

WE URGE THE CITY COUNCIL TO RECOMMIT TO PUBLIC SAFETY BY CUTTING TIES WITH FLOCK. 

We ask our City Council to cancel the City’s contract with Flock, remove the 20+ Flock cameras from our community, and stop upcoming plans to add more Flock camera’s in our city. We do not need to be spending $3,300 per camera each year on ineffective, dangerous mass surveillance.

The safest communities are rooted in trust & care. Meeting basic needs (food, housing, education) is what reduces crime, not faulty tech.

Twentynine is our home – let's make sure it continues to be an engaged, welcoming community!

-

Please sign your support below and increase the effectiveness of this petition by including a personal comment.

-

Further reading:

See where Flock cameras are watching you in 29 Palms on this map.

Learn more about Automated License Plate Readers (ALPRs, Flock Cameras)

Flock using stolen data from dark web

Flock Exposed Its AI-Powered Cameras to the Internet - We Tracked Ourselves

Police used Flock cameras to falsely accuse a Denver woman of package theft

Police Told to Be ‘as Vague as Permissible’ About Why They Use Flock

Feds Used Local Cop's Password to Do Immigration Surveillance With Flock Cameras

Attorney General Bonta Continues Legal Challenge to Stop El Cajon from Illegally Sharing License Plate Data

Benn Jordan’s video explaining the security vulnerabilities  

Senator Wyden’s letter to FTC

San Bernardino County Sheriff ALPR audits