Resident urges Flagstaff to drop Flock Safety cameras, cites national privacy concerns

Brent Traxell told the Flagstaff City Council during open call on June 3 that Flock Safety automated license-plate–reading cameras are “an extremely problematic technology” and that Flagstaff’s use of Flock contributes to a nationwide consolidated database that can be shared across jurisdictions.

Traxell told council he previously raised concerns in March and that recent national reports have reinforced his view: he cited reported data‑sharing incidents in California and Texas, allegations of cross‑state searches for abortion-related investigations and law-enforcement searches for immigration enforcement. He said Flagstaff Police Department’s Flock contract is not part of Flock’s transparency portal and that the public cannot see how many cameras exist, where they are sited, police lookups or audit logs.

“You do not have control over how it is used,” Traxell said, arguing the system’s consolidated capability makes it vulnerable to misuse by state or federal actors. He asked the council to cancel the city’s contract with Flock Safety and said he would send additional materials to council by email.

Council did not take action at the meeting; Traxell’s remarks are part of the public-comment record and proponents of greater surveillance oversight and transparency may follow up in future meetings.