Renton covers Flock cameras after community trust concerns

6 August 2026.

On August 3, 2026, the Renton City Council voted to cover all Flock automated license plate recognition cameras operated by the city. The cameras have been paused since May 4, 2026, when the council initially halted the police department's use of all ALPR systems. In July, the council reactivated ALPR cameras in police vehicles and parking enforcement vehicles while maintaining the pause on Flock cameras.

Councilmember Kim-Khánh Văn, who proposed the motion, cited community concerns about transparency and trust. Văn noted that public trust was compromised when the cameras were reactivated without community notice after initially being turned off on March 30 to ensure compliance with Washington State Bill 6002. The councilmember stated the cameras would remain covered until the city either dismantles them or decides to renew the Flock contract.

Councilmember Carmen Rivera expressed concerns specifically about Flock as a data collection company, distinguishing it from other vendors like Axon. She emphasized the uncertainty around whether the company might access data despite the cameras being offline. Councilmember James Alberson opposed the motion, arguing that covering already-paused cameras constitutes unnecessary work for city staff and suggests distrust of the police department's ability to keep systems offline.

The council also unanimously approved a separate motion to hold a public town hall where officials would present information about Flock camera operations, intended for the following two weeks. Four of five council members voted in favor of covering the cameras, with Alberson dissenting.

Readers can check their own city council meeting records to learn whether their municipality has made comparable decisions about ALPR camera oversight.

Read the original reporting: Seattle Weekly.