I am writing this petition with a pressing concern that directly impacts the privacy and freedom of my community. The presence of Flock cameras throughout our neighborhoods is a constant, unwarranted gaze, infringing on our right to live without unwarranted surveillance. Our community deserves to be free from this pervasive oversight, and it is crucial that we take action now. Our tax dollars need to be spent in ways that benefit our community, not lining the pockets of corporations that seek to exploit us.

Flock cameras, which are "automated license plate reading devices", have been contracted in many cities under the guise of enhancing security and deterring crime. However, studies and reports have shown that their efficacy in crime reduction is questionable at best. According to analysis by the Electronic Frontier Foundation, these cameras have limited impact on crime rates, are misused by law inforcement, and lead to unwarrnted national sharing of data to track our movements across state lines without judicial oversight. Flock vendors market this technology for serious crime mitigation and we can see it is not being used for that purpose. All of this calls into question the true purpose of their presence in our communities.

Furthermore, the deployment of Flock cameras raises significant privacy concerns. The American Civil Liberties Union has repeatedly pointed out that these technologies often lead to the collection and retention of massive amounts of personal data, frequently without any oversight or adequate protections. It only takes a quick google search to prove that data from flock cameras. has already been misused in a multitude of documented instances by police across the country. Why would we believe the data from our neighborhoods will not also be misused?

Real-life cases have revealed troubling instances of mistaken identity and misidentification, which compromise innocent individuals. For example, in San Francisco, inaccurate license plate readings led to wrongful investigations and unneeded stress for law-abiding citizens. There are many other examples of officers using cameras and their data to stalk ex's or watch children on playgrounds and in public areas. These cameras erode trust between the community and law enforcement, perpetuating a culture of suspicion and mistrust rather than safety.

By cancelling the Flock camera contracts and removing these devices permanently, we can eliminate an unwanted presence in our communities. We can utilize those resources spent on this privatized surveillance and put them toward community-centered approaches to safety, fostering programs that address the root causes of crime, such as poverty, lack of education, and mental health issues.

I urge our city's leaders to listen to the concerns of their constituents, to prioritize the privacy rights of citizens over technology that has limited proven benefits. Let us restore our community's trust and mutual respect by ending this artificial surveillance.

Please join me in signing this petition. We need our community leaders to hear our voices and stop this partnership with Flock before we lose more than we already have.