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Residents warn council about privacy risks of Flock surveillance cameras; some speakers defend the system
Summary
Multiple public commenters at Shelton's July 7 meeting urged the council not to renew its Flock surveillance-camera contract, citing data-harvesting and access concerns; other residents and a council member said Flock evidence has helped solve serious crimes and urged careful study.
Residents raised privacy concerns and asked the Shelton City Council to reconsider a contract renewal with Flock surveillance cameras, while other speakers defended Flock's role in investigations.
Marianne, a small-business owner, told the council that Flock collects extensive data and urged the council not to renew its contract in August: "Let's not fall into Flock's trap. I urge this council not to renew its contract with Flock in August." She said the business model of some data firms is to build profiles that can later be used to raise prices or consolidate market power.
Carissa, a Mason County resident, asked pointedly: "Who has access to the Flocks? Where does our data go? How long is our info being stored?" She cited examples where plate-reader data or vendor access had been misused in other states and said those concerns apply to minors and community safety.
Several speakers noted law-enforcement uses. A council member said Flock had been used in local investigations, citing three child-predator cases and other crimes where camera evidence assisted arrests; that council member acknowledged privacy concerns but said the benefits had, in some cases, aided investigations.
Council members and staff said they would set up further conversations between the city manager, police department and council to review the concerns and the contract before its renewal date. No vote or decision on the contract occurred at the July 7 meeting.
