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Resident raises data‑privacy and investor concerns about Flock camera program
Summary
During public comment a resident told the council he supported a suspension of Flock Security camera use and alleged that a prominent investor, Peter Theal, is controversial; he also warned that Oregon public records law (ORS 192) could allow broad access to license‑plate reader data.
Mark Stewart, an Albany resident, used his public‑comment time on March 9 to urge caution after the council’s recent action to suspend use of Flock Security cameras.
"I'm glad that you guys passed that resolution to suspend the usage of those cameras," Stewart said, before describing his concerns about the company and its investors. He told the council that "one of their primary investors is Peter Theal" and alleged that Theal has made extreme public statements and has problematic affiliations; those claims were offered by Stewart as reasons not to trust the investor with public data.
Stewart also warned that Oregon’s public‑records law, cited in the meeting as ORS 192, could allow anyone to request Flock data held by public agencies. "Anyone, you, me, anybody, we can make a public records request for all of the flock data in this state," he said, adding the concern that such access could be used to track driving patterns and locations.
The statement at the work session was an allegation by a public commenter; the meeting record does not include a response from Flock Security, the investor named, or city staff disputing those specific claims. The council had earlier placed a temporary suspension of camera use on the record; Stewart framed his remarks in support of that action.
Next steps: the matter remains a public concern; the city council did not take further formal action during the work session.
