I am a student at Crafton Hills College, and every day I walk into campus, I feel like I am under constant scrutiny, not by my professors or fellow students, but by the Flock surveillance cameras installed in and around our college. While these cameras were put in place under the guise of enhancing our safety, they instead compromise the privacy and security of many in our community.

For individuals being born outside this country, these cameras amplify an already intense pressure. Simply going about our lives, working hard to gain an education, should not come with the added burden of being watched and potentially scrutinized for personal details that are no one else’s business. Moreover, these surveillance tactics deeply affect households who have fled domestic abuse or those living in fear of a stalker. When every move is watched, where can anyone truly feel safe or have a fresh start?

Additionally, these surveillance technologies pose a serious risk to innocent drivers, commuters, and general students; many of whom like myself,  rely on public transportation or carpools to get to our beloved college. The risk of "false positive" arrests based on inaccurate data is very real, potentially turning a person's nightmare into a horrifying reality. The system’s many failures have already been documented, showing that innocent people get wrongly identified and arrested, bringing untold trauma and distress.

Let us not overlook the sensitive nature of healthcare patients’ privacy as well. Many of us have shared that these surveillance measures could compromise the confidentiality of medical appointments or other private matters that might take place within view of these cameras. Our privacy is not a commodity to be bartered in exchange for a false sense of security.

The fundamental question we must ask ourselves is this: Is monitoring every movement worth the impact on personal privacy, mental well-being, and the atmosphere of trust and openness that a college campus should embody? We, as students and community members, believe it is not.  This is where go to learn, grow, and most importantly change!

Instead of reliance on intrusive surveillance, the college should invest in better lighting, trained personnel who can ensure safety without imposing on our rights, and develop a reliable anonymous reporting system that allows students to flag potential issues without fear of repercussion or exposure.

I am urging you to join me in pressing for the removal of these Flock surveillance cameras from Crafton Hills College. Together, we can advocate for solutions that genuinely increase safety while upholding the sanctity of our personal privacy. Please sign this petition to help us protect our college and community from unnecessary and intrusive surveillance measures.