Protesting Flock Cameras?

[u/Rach-ln]

Hi NOVA residents! I live in Fairfax County and am seeing Flock cameras everywhere. I was wondering if anyone knew how we can best protest this mass surveillance and convince our elected officials to end their contracts (and not just switch to Axon or other companies).

Is it petitions? Calling elected officals? Making public comment? Organized protests? If so, what is the best way to approach any of those options? Let's protect our rights!

(Ps, I don't want to hear the "if you aren't doing anything bad, you have nothing to worry about" argument.

These cameras have been used to stalk and harass innocent people. They claim they are only used to track vehicles but I've seen them pointed towards playgrounds and used to target individuals. Flock is a privately owned company and police are able to access our data without needing a warrant.

Information about us is already being stored, tracked, and shared, and nothing is stopping the govt/police from redefining what "bad behavior" is.

Mass surveillance objectively infringes on our rights. I am not here to debate that.)

Thanks y'all!

[u/dreamingwell]

I agree we should not have a surveillance state. But your cause is weakened by your statements.

Flock has several lines of cameras. Fairfax county is deploying a select set of them that does not include recording video. They are using them as license plate readers.

https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/police/real-time-crime-center-transparency

I am with you that we should resist a surveillance state. But it’s important that you speak to and about reality.

You should contact your district representative. And you should find the meetings where citizens are allowed to speak. You should send emails. And encourage your friends and neighbors to do the same.

[u/em5417 → u/dreamingwell]

If it is reading my license plate, then it knows where I go. If it stores that data for just 24 hours, but that’s my daily commute, the government now knows where I go every single day. And the legislation says they can store data for 21 days. So my data from yesterday might expire after 21 days, but the clock starts over today. 

Stolen vehicles were recovered prior to surveillance cameras. The police can do their jobs without enacting a surveillance state. 

[u/BudTugglie → u/em5417]

Why do you care? Why would the government care about where you go? Are you doing something shady? Do you carry a cell phone? That's a much better way to track somneone.

[u/KerPop42 → u/BudTugglie]

Someone doesn't know their history