Bartlesville residents protest against surveillance cameras and data privacy concerns

Concerns over surveillance and individual freedoms dominated the Bartlesville Special City Council meeting on February 24, 2025, as residents voiced strong opposition to the use of Flock Safety cameras in the city. The meeting highlighted a growing distrust among citizens regarding the transparency and ethics of local government actions.

One resident passionately questioned the integrity of the council's assurances about investigating potential ethics violations involving Representative Tom Gabb. "Is that a trustworthy statement?" they asked, emphasizing the need for government decisions to prioritize individual rights over governmental desires. Citing Thomas Jefferson, they argued that sacrificing freedom for security leads to the loss of both.

The discussion turned to the Flock Safety cameras, which capture over a million images daily in Bartlesville. Critics pointed out that more than 90% of these images go unused, raising alarms about the extent of surveillance and the potential for misuse of data. The resident expressed frustration over the city's failure to comply with Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) requests to remove illegal cameras, suggesting a deliberate withholding of information from both the council and the public.

Further complicating the issue, it was revealed that Flock Safety had been lobbying for legislation to retroactively legalize their camera installations, which critics labeled as a "calculated evasion of accountability." The resident questioned how the city could be trusted to regulate these cameras when they had already shown a willingness to ignore laws.

The meeting underscored a broader sentiment among residents who feel that their freedoms are being compromised in the name of safety. One speaker articulated a vision of governance where the city serves the people, not the other way around, insisting that constant surveillance of innocent citizens is unacceptable.

As the council faces mounting pressure to address these concerns, the future of surveillance in Bartlesville remains uncertain. Residents are calling for greater transparency and accountability, urging city leaders to prioritize individual rights in their decision-making processes. The implications of this meeting could shape the ongoing debate over privacy and security in the community.