Renton City Council Votes to Cover Flock Safety Cameras

The Renton City Council voted on August 3 to physically cover all Flock Safety automated license plate recognition (ALPR) cameras within the city. Although the cameras have been inactive since May 4, the council's decision follows a previous July 22 authorization to reactivate Axon in-car cameras and Genetec parking enforcement cameras.

Councilmember Kim-Khánh Văn proposed the motion to restore community trust, which she argued was damaged when cameras were previously reactivated without public notification. Other council members supported the move by characterizing Flock Safety as a data collection company rather than a public safety entity. Councilmember James Alberson opposed the action, stating that covering the cameras does not demonstrate trust in the Renton Police Department.

In addition to the vote to cover the hardware, the council unanimously approved a motion to host a public town hall within two weeks. The event will provide a community orientation on the implementation of the Flock Safety system and will be co-hosted by the Renton Police Department.