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Residents call for independent audit of Woodburn Police and Flock surveillance
Summary
Community speakers urged the council to investigate the city's use of Flock surveillance cameras and to require transparency about access by federal agencies; they asked for an independent audit and for the city to end use of the system.
Multiple speakers during public comment urged the city to end use of the Flock camera network and to commission an independent audit that would disclose contracts, data access and the number of agency requests.
"Flock cameras put our community at indirect risk," a public commenter said, arguing the system "contributes to the terrorizing of our community" and citing concerns that federal agencies can access camera feeds. Several speakers urged the council to require the police department to publish all requests for camera footage from outside agencies and to adopt strict protocols for any data sharing.
Commenters asked the council to require the Woodburn Police Department to publicly commit that it will not participate in certain federal information-sharing programs and to produce written protocols requiring federal agents to identify themselves when interacting with local police. No council motion or vote occurred on the matter at this meeting.
City leaders said they are monitoring state law and coordinating with the city attorney and police chief; the mayor and council described plans for further engagement and workshops with community partners to discuss surveillance policy.
The meeting moved on after public comment and scheduled presentations, with no ordinance or contract action taken regarding surveillance systems.
