Kent City Council delays decision on Flock vehicle‑license camera contract after public concern

The Kent City Council voted to postpone consideration of Draft 2025‑24 — an ordinance authorizing the city manager to enter into a public‑safety video technology contract with Flock Group Inc. to track vehicle license plates entering and leaving the city — until the council’s October meeting.

The delay, approved by a show of hands during the meeting, came after more than an hour of discussion and public comments raising questions about privacy, immigration enforcement and the timing of adopting additional surveillance technology. The councilman who moved the postponement did not give a name on the record; the motion was seconded and passed by hand vote (5 in favor, 1 opposed, others not recorded by name).

Why it matters: The ordinance would have authorized a contract enabling the Kent Police Department to use Flock’s vehicle‑license tracking system. Supporters said the technology could help with investigations, missing‑person searches and interjurisdictional pursuits; opponents and several residents warned it could be used in ways that undermine privacy or be tied to…