Bothell resident warns Mill Creek council about security, privacy and legal risks of Flock Safety ALPR system
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Summary
John Sutton told the council that Flock Safety automated license‑plate readers have documented cybersecurity compromises, federal scrutiny and court rulings that ALPR data is public record in Washington; he urged an independent review and pause before Mill Creek adopts the system.
A Bothell resident told the Mill Creek City Council Tuesday that the Flock Safety automated license‑plate reader (ALPR) system under consideration poses cybersecurity, privacy and legal risks that the city has not fully evaluated.
"I drive through Mill Creek very frequently," John Sutton said during audience communications. "The Flock Safety camera system collects data on my vehicle even though I'm not a city resident." Sutton cited prior incidents in which law‑enforcement accounts tied to the vendor had been compromised and said federal lawmakers had asked the FTC to investigate those cybersecurity lapses. He warned that stolen credentials previously allowed unauthorized access to license‑plate and movement data and urged the city to pause deployment and commission an independent review before spending taxpayer dollars.
Sutton also raised legal concerns: he told the council that Washington courts have ruled images and ALPR scans are public records and that producing high volumes of ALPR data imposes staff and legal burdens on cities without adequate resources to respond to records requests.
Council members did not take immediate action in response to the comment but later flagged limits on ALPR data release and public‑safety camera policy as potential items for the city’s 2026 legislative agenda.
What happens next: the comment was entered into the public record; council members signaled interest in reviewing policy and potential legislative fixes to limit data release for automated camera systems at the state level.
