NO FLOCK IN ISSAQUAH

Flock cloud-based ALPR cameras quietly capture every car, every plate, every detail — storing that data out of state. In early 2026, the Issaquah Police Department was awarded a federal grant to install 12 of them across our city, at locations that would capture every car entering and leaving Issaquah every day, including I-90. Thanks to community pushback, the city has passed a resolution prohibiting the purchase or consideration of any ALPR system until a city ordinance is passed. On July 20th, the City Council "indefinitely" paused discussions on creating such a resolution due to a lack of need for this type of system in Issaquah. We thank every community member who signed the petition, gave written comments, and spoke at City Council meetings. We also thank the council for their openness and willingness to engage the community in such a thoughtful way. Our work is not done, we are continuing to have conversations on the harms of ALPR technology and the broader harms of mass surveillance tech in general. We will update this site with more info and actions you can take soon. -No Flock in Issaquah Coalition

Urban dome surveillance camera mounted on a metal pole against a city skyline

Background

HOW WE GOT HERE

In early 2025, the Issaquah Police Department applied for and was later awarded a DOJ grant of nearly $450k for new CEDs (Tasers) and ALPR (Flock) cameras.

The proposed camera locations included all major intersections and freeway on-ramps/exits within city limits, meaning no one could enter or leave Issaquah without their driving habits being recorded and accessible to other police and federal agencies outside the city.

The proposal was sought out despite limited public input from Issaquah residents and those who work and shop within the city.

In early 2026, residents began learning about the Flock proposal and pushed back. We attended City Council meetings and wrote emails asking the city not to accept the Flock proposal, citing well-documented safety and security issues associated with Flock ALPR systems.

Our pushback worked, and the Issaquah Police Department removed its request for Flock cameras to be included in the grant award, and the city council passed a resolution banning further ALPR consideration and adoption until a city ordinance could be passed.

At the July 20th city council meeting, the city presented its initial findings on what a city ordinance could look like. Among other things, the city found that an “on premises” system would not be feasible due to installation, and operating costs. They presented several options for moving forward with a cloud-based solution.

The City Council discussed the options presented and decided to pause further discussions on this technology until IPD shows a need for this technology in Issaquah. This decision leaves in place the June 20th resolution which bans implementation of ALPRs until a city ordinance is passed.

This is a huge win for residents, those who work, and those who shop in Issaquah. Thank you to every community member who signed the petition, wrote in public comments, and spoke at City Council meetings.

WHO ARE WE?

We are a group of concerned citizens who live, work, and shop in Issaquah. We are not against safety. We are against a connected surveillance network — built on every public street in Issaquah, owned by a private company, with little to no oversight, and no way for residents to opt out.

What You Should Know About Flock

Two surveillance cameras mounted on a street pole against a blue sky.

Records Every Plate, Every Time

Flock cameras photograph every passing car, timestamping and storing the image—no warrant required, and no way to opt out.

Aerial view of two surveillance cameras mounted on a metal pole against a blue sky.

A Connected Network

Flock says it does not "track" drivers. Still, as you pass more cameras in more cities, more agencies you may not know or trust can see your routes, your schedule, and your habits.

A black keyboard with white backlit keys.

Confusing Settings

Some police departments say Flock has shared their data with other agencies despite their sharing settings being turned off.

An ALPR camera mounted on a pole against a blue sky with a tree nearby.

Flock owns the equipment

Flock's cloud-based ALPRs, software, and apps transmit data to servers outside the state, so while local agencies "own the data." Flock controls where the data is stored.

SB 6002

WHAT ABOUTTHE DRIVER PRIVACY ACT (SB 6002)

A black and white photo of a metal pole with multiple surveillance cameras attached, pointing in all directions.

01

Local Police can share data

While SB 6002 generally prohibits sharing ALPR data with most agencies, local jurisdictions are allowed to share, creating a mass surveillance network within the state.
02

Only reduces data retention by 7 days.

Flock advertises its data retention as 30 days. SB 6002 establishes a statewide retention cap of 21 days, marginally better than Flock's own retention rate and well below the 3 days recommended by privacy and data advocates in the state.
03

Scope of investigations expanded

Law enforcement agencies are now allowed to use ALPRs to investigate gross misdemeanors in addition to Felonies, allowing more people's data to be swept up in investigations.
04

You cannot obtain your own data.

SB 6002 excludes ALPR data from public disclosure. Meaning you cannot petition local agencies to know what data has been collected on you and/or confirm its removal after the required retention period is up.

Our proposals

WHAT WE'RE ASKING FOR

We are petitioning the Issaquah City Council to take two concrete steps before any ALPR proposal is considered.

Establish a Temporary Moratoriam

Institute a moratorium on any City purchase or installation of ALPR/surveillance technology, to be lifted only when the following item is complete.

Pass a Permanent City Ordinance

Pass a permanent ordinance that strictly controls what types of ALPR/surveillance technology is permitted in Issaquah. As many people noted in their public comments, the restrictions put in place by recent state-level legislation (SB 6002) are insufficient to address serious concerns held by the community.

Any future consideration of ALPR technology in Issaquah must be as narrow in scope and application as possible, and pursued only if truly required. Citizens' rights and concerns must be protected as strictly as they can be. Examples of protections that should be implemented include the following:

Data and imagery collected by ALPRs owned by the City of Issaquah and any of its departments:
- must be stored in a secure, closed-loop system owned by Issaquah City government.
- must be shown to be architecturally inaccessible to outside entities.
- must include only license plates, and emphatically must not include faces or identifying physical features of drivers or passengers of a vehicle.
- must not be transmitted to servers or entities outside of Issaquah.
- must not be stored if it does not generate an alarm relating to a wanted or missing person, stolen vehicle, active warrant, or serious criminal offense.
Any privately-owned ALPRs in the City of Issaquah must be positioned such that they do not collect data or imagery from public streets, public property, or avenues of travel that the owner of the ALPR does not themselves own.

RESEARCH AND SOURCES

ACLU of Washington

Gov. Ferguson Signs SB 6002, The Driver Privacy Act, Into Law

ACLU of Washington press release on the signing of the state-level Driver Privacy Act governing ALPR use.

Flock Safety

What Does Washington SB 6002 Mean for ALPR Use in Washington?

Flock Safety's own explainer of what the new state law does — and does not — restrict.

CNET

When Flock Comes to Town: Why Cities Are Axing the Controversial Surveillance Technology

CNET investigates the growing number of cities that have reversed or rejected Flock Safety contracts.

Electronic Frontier Foundation

EFF's Investigations Expose Flock Safety's Surveillance Abuses — 2025 Review

The Electronic Frontier Foundation's year-end roundup of documented abuses tied to Flock Safety's ALPR network.

Washington State Legislature

Washington SB 6002 — The Driver Privacy Act (Full Bill Text)

The full text of Washington State Senate Bill 6002, the Driver Privacy Act, as passed and signed into law in 2025.

YouTube

Issaquah Committee of the Whole Council Meeting May 11, 2026

Included public comments on Flock from employee's of Issaquah P.D., and residents. Issaquah Police staff discussed the grant process, gave a presentation on CED's (Taser's) and Kent P.D. spoke about their use of Flock.