Jason Bassler@JasonBassler1
๐จ Flock has a hidden weakness many donโt know: public records requests.
Activists have successfully forced at least 8 cities to shut down Flock programs, either by exposing unauthorized data access or showing the footage was publicly accessible.
One of the most effective ways to take down Flock cameras? FOIA/PRA requests.
Hereโs a template to file one in your city:
To the Custodian of Records:
Pursuant to the (your state here) Public Records Act (your state's public records act code.), I request access to and copies of the following public records relating to the (your local police) Police Departmentโs surveillance camera network reportedly consisting of more than 2,600 cameras deployed throughout the city.
Please provide records covering the period January 1, 2020 through present unless otherwise specified.
1. Policies and Legal Authority
All policies, procedures, memoranda, directives, or legal analyses governing:
-The deployment and operation of surveillance cameras within __________
-Any legal justification for the program under federal or state constitutional law
-Policies governing Fourth Amendment considerations or privacy protections
-Any City Council ordinances or resolutions authorizing the camera network
2. Contracts and Vendors
All contracts, agreements, memoranda of understanding, purchase orders, or amendments with vendors or service providers related to:
-Surveillance cameras
-Automated license plate readers
-Real-time crime centers
-Video analytics, facial recognition, or artificial intelligence
-Data storage or cloud services used for camera footage
Please include vendor proposals, RFP responses, and bid documents.
3. Camera Locations
Records identifying:
-The number and location of cameras deployed
-Maps, GIS datasets, or inventories of surveillance devices
-Any classification of cameras as public, private-partner, or third-party integrated cameras
(If precise coordinates are withheld, provide generalized location records or district-level inventories.)
4. Data Retention and Access
All records describing:
-Video retention schedules
-Policies for deletion or archiving of footage
-Which agencies or departments have access to the camera network
-Any data sharing agreements with other agencies including but not limited to:
-(your state) Highway Patrol -Federal agencies (FBI, DHS, ICE, etc.) -Regional task forces
5. Private Camera Integration Programs
All records relating to programs that integrate privately owned cameras into the police network, including:
-Agreements with homeowners, businesses, or HOAs
-Terms of participation
-Data access rights granted to the police department
6. Surveillance Technology Capabilities
Records describing whether the system includes or supports:
-Facial recognition
-License plate recognition
-Behavioral analytics
-Crowd detection
-Real-time monitoring centers
7. Crime Reduction Claims
All records, reports, studies, or internal analyses supporting claims that the surveillance network caused reductions in crime, including:
-Statistical reports
-Internal evaluations
-Communications discussing the effectiveness of the system
8. Communications
Emails, memoranda, and internal communications between (your city) Police Department personnel, City officials, or vendors referencing:
-Expansion of the camera network
-Privacy concerns
-Public opposition or legal review
Search terms should include: โcamera networkโ, โsurveillance camerasโ, โreal time crime centerโ, "Aerodome", "Raven", โALPRโ, โFlockโ, โfacial recognitionโ, and โcamera integrationโ.
Format
Please provide records in electronic format via email or download link.
If any records are withheld, please provide the specific statutory exemption relied upon and produce all reasonably segregable portions of responsive documents.
Fee Waiver
This request concerns matters of significant public interest involving government surveillance and constitutional rights, and any fees should be waived or minimized.
I look forward to your response within the statutory timeframe.
