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Olympia police chief recommends suspending Flock license‑plate reader pilot; city manager moves to deactivate cameras
Summary
Interim Police Chief Shelby Parker told the Olympia City Council Dec. 2 that, while the city's Flock ALPR system has aided dozens of investigations, she will recommend the City Manager suspend the pilot so the city can examine federal‑level risks and community concerns; the City Manager accepted that recommendation and staff said cameras can be deactivated within 24 hours and physically removed after coordination with the vendor.
Interim Chief Shelby Parker told the Olympia City Council on Dec. 2 that she will recommend the city manager suspend the Olympia Police Department’s Flock automated license‑plate reader (ALPR) pilot so the city can evaluate community concerns and shifting federal risks.
"I'm recommending that the city manager consider suspending OPD's Flock pilot program," Parker said. She told council that the system—contracted in March 2024 with Department of Commerce grant funding—was adopted to help recover stolen vehicles, identify suspects in organized retail theft and improve investigative timelines, but that recent developments require a pause to preserve community trust.
Parker said the pilot runs through July 2026, cost the city $98,550 for the contract as presented, and uses 15 mounted Flock cameras placed at intersections. She described technical safeguards the department…
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