Mountlake Terrace cancels Flock Safety contract
EVERETT — The Mountlake Terrace City Council unanimously voted to end the city’s contract with Flock Safety on Thursday, citing community division and public records concerns.
In June, the council voted 5-2 to enter a contract with the controversial automated license plate reader company following public pushback.
In the months since, community concerns have grown over the misuse of Flock technology. Recent reports from The Daily Herald and the University of Washington revealed federal agencies — including U.S. Border Patrol and Homeland Security Investigations — gained access to multiple Flock networks in Snohomish County, often without police departments knowing. Out-of-state law enforcement agencies searched local Flock data for reasons directly related to immigration or seemingly on behalf of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which could violate state law.
The city hadn’t yet installed its Flock cameras. In September, City Manager Jeff Niten said the city was waiting for the outcome of a public records case in Skagit County Superior Court. In July, the cities of Stanwood and Sedro-Woolley sought a judgment that Flock footage was not subject to public records requests. Last month, a judge denied to make the judgment, effectively ruling that Flock footage is public record. Stanwood and Sedro-Woolley are now appealing the decision. The city of Everett is seeking a similar judgment in Snohomish County Superior Court.
https://www.heraldnet.com/news/mountlake-terrace-cancels-flock-safety-contract/