Residents urge Surprise to end Flock Safety camera program, citing privacy and cost concerns

Several residents urged the Surprise City Council on Sept. 16 to end the city’s contract with Flock Safety and remove automated license‑plate reader cameras, arguing the system threatens privacy and is costly.

Nathan Madden, second vice chair of the Arizona Libertarian Party, asked the council to “immediately terminate the contract, surprise contract with Flock Safety and removal of all surveillance cameras from the community.” He told the council he believes the cameras create a “digital record of your daily life without your consent” and said the city is currently funding “approximately 20 camera[s] at a cost of roughly $2,500 per camera annually.”

Sheila Shaver, whose comments were read into the record, raised related concerns about automated license‑plate readers, saying they capture vehicle details beyond plate numbers and that collected data can be stored in cloud servers for extended periods. Shaver said such retention can create “detailed profiles of individuals’ routines, associations, and whereabouts” and could chill civic and religious participation.

Speakers referenced other Arizona cities as examples: Nathan Madden cited a report that Sedona ended a program after discovering federal agencies had obtained access without explicit city consent. Kevin James submitted a written comment (read by staff) expressing thanks to the mayor for a separate meeting and also submitted comments opposing the Flock cameras; Eric Fowler requested to speak but was not present.

No council motion or staff direction on removing the cameras was recorded during the meeting. The public‑comment items were submitted during the call‑to‑the‑public portion of the agenda; speakers asked the council to terminate the contract, require removal of equipment at the vendor’s expense where possible, and adopt clear policies to prevent future mass surveillance without public discussion and oversight.