Trendpills
A Skagit County Superior Court judge has ruled that data collected by Flock Safety's automated license plate reader (ALPR) cameras is a public record, denying a request from two Washington cities for an exemption.
The decision by Judge Elizabeth Neidzwski on Thursday affects the cities of Stanwood and Sedro-Woolley, which sought to shield the footage from public disclosure. The case arose after a citizen filed a public records request for one hour of footage from all Flock cameras operating in Stanwood. Following the request, the city of Stanwood paused its use of the cameras pending legal clarity. The city had installed 14 of the devices in February after approving a $92,000 contract but turned them off in May.
Judge Neidzwski determined that existing exemptions under Washington’s Public Records Act did not apply to the ALPR footage. This ruling is being closely watched by other municipalities across Snohomish County and the state that either use or are considering deploying the controversial surveillance technology. Many were awaiting the court's decision to determine their own policies regarding data retention and public access.
The debate over Flock cameras extends beyond public records requests. Concerns have been raised about how the collected data is shared and used. A report from The Daily Herald found that federal agencies had gained access to multiple Flock networks across Snohomish County, including data accessed by U.S. Border Patrol and Homeland Security Investigations, prompting questions about compliance with state law.
This legal challenge in Washington is not unique. It reflects a growing national trend of disputes over the transparency of ALPR systems. In a separate case, a similar legal battle in Virginia resulted in a court ordering the release of Flock footage to Cardinal News under the state's Freedom of Information Act. These rulings are establishing important precedents for how law enforcement technology, privacy, and public oversight intersect.
