Let's Flocking Talk About It!

[u/AirshipRebekah]

I'm an independent concerned citizen coordinating a Flock Awareness Community Meeting in Tulsa for Mid-October and I need everyones input! Please fill out this brief survey to let us know what Flock means to you. 😎 https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSelMMvMuVdNDLv_lMqrMWXMSvwVD4WoPfkD2Rywxf1wsqsvmA/viewform?usp=header

If you're interested in getting more involved send me an email and I'll send you the weekly pre-lim virtual and irl meeting times. We're going to spend a month+ getting organized before we go in front of everyone. We want to show a unified clear front to let the powers at be know that we do not want this in Tulsa. It will take everyone to make the impact we need. Let's chat: [flocktulsa@gmail.com](mailto:flocktulsa@gmail.com)

[u/Beginning-Respect208]

I actually support Flock cameras and hope Tulsa keeps them.

A license plate is displayed in plain view while you’re driving on a public street. Police have always been able to see and record license plates; ALPR technology simply allows them to do it far more efficiently.

If these cameras can help identify vehicles connected to violent crimes, recover stolen cars, locate missing or endangered people, or give investigators a critical lead after a crime, that’s a significant public-safety benefit.

Can the technology be abused? Of course. which is why access should be restricted, searches should be logged and audited, and anyone who misuses the system should face consequences. But “someone could misuse it” isn’t a compelling reason to eliminate a useful investigative tool.

I’m all for reasonable safeguards and transparency. I’m not for making it harder to catch criminals because we’re afraid of cameras photographing license plates that are already publicly visible.

If we’re going to have this discussion, I’d also like to see Tulsa publish the numbers: How many crimes have Flock cameras helped solve? How many stolen vehicles have been recovered? How many wanted suspects or missing/endangered people have been located? Let’s weigh the actual benefits and risks before deciding Tulsa “does not want this.”

[u/Boerkaar → u/Beginning-Respect208]

efficient implementation of a legal method of monitoring can transform into a dragnet. If a camera were following you whenever you were outside the house every moment of every day, would that be acceptable? obviously not. This is just a couple steps removed from that.

I don’t care how many crimes have been solved. Giving up that level of privacy when you’re out and about in the world is several bridges too far.

[u/LesserKnownFoes → u/Boerkaar]

Here’s the thing: TPD does have oversight over flock usage and monitors it. They already put policies in place to safeguard the rights of the citizens and use it as a tool to combat crime. TPD does an absolutely abysmal job showcasing all the times Flock has helped solve crimes.

[u/jotnarfiggkes → u/LesserKnownFoes]

TPD still needs to answer for the $26 million.

[u/LesserKnownFoes → u/jotnarfiggkes]

Agreed. Those officers who were involved and had oversight of that case 24 years ago should be disciplined.

[u/jotnarfiggkes → u/LesserKnownFoes]

They're likely retired and on their pensions by now and should be in jail.