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Public raises privacy and surveillance concerns over Flock cameras and related technology
Summary
Multiple commenters called on council to halt surveillance projects (Flock cameras) and to avoid funding further mass-surveillance technologies; one commenter asked for confirmation that Flock had deleted city data and several urged legislative or procurement changes.
Surveillance and privacy concerns surfaced repeatedly during public comment at the Feb. 23 meeting.
Bill O’Brien criticized corporate surveillance and referenced Flock cameras in the context of Amazon and broader surveillance partnerships, saying the city had paused the Flock contract and questioning whether companies would bring cameras back. Thea Abitoy (party-affiliated speaker and immigrant-defense network member) urged the council not to invest further city funds in surveillance technology, warned of federal uses of such systems (including by ICE), and asked that resources be directed instead toward community services and education.
Wynn Mansell asked whether Flock had responded about deleting city data. Council did not take immediate procurement action during the meeting; speakers asked for firm council direction to stop or legislate against additional surveillance procurement.
