Renton council orders Flock cameras covered, schedules public town hall

Renton City Council on a voice vote directed the city administration to cover the city's Flock automatic license-plate readers and to host a public town-hall orientation on the technology.

Council Member Van moved the town-hall measure and later the council approved a separate directive to have the 24 Flock cameras physically covered while the city reviews the contract and community concerns. Council Member Rivera, who backed the measures, said the action was meant to restore public trust: "The cameras are already paused. They're not collecting anything. If it's safe and if it's within the purview of staff to be able to do it, I think it's something that is just some easy, simple fix that tells the residents ... we're listening and that we're trying to foster that trust and that transparency." (Council Member Rivera)

Public commenters had pressed the council for stronger steps. Gabrielle Widling urged the council to "Cover the flock cameras," tying the request to broader trust concerns after residents said police responses to harassment complaints had been unsatisfactory. Leslie Jensen cited a Washington Post investigation about alleged misuse of Flock's network and said community members want accountability.

Opponents on the dais cautioned about staff workload and symbolic gestures versus substantive policy changes. Council Member Albertson warned that physically covering cameras requires staff time and that it is not a substitute for policy review. Supporters noted other smaller cities have used tape or covers as a temporary measure while conducting oversight.

Council also moved that Renton Police Department and city staff host an educational orientation for the public on how the cameras have been used and how the system works. The council did not adopt any immediate changes to the contract during the meeting; the action directs administration to arrange the public forum and to proceed with covering the cameras in the interim.