UPDATE: City of Bend turns off, will uninstall Flock license-plate reader cameras amid security concerns
Tracee Tuesday
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — After hearing citizen concerns from a packed crowd and sharing their own, Bend city councilors agreed Wednesday night to turn off and remove four Flock license plate reader cameras, and not renew the city’s contract with the company.
The four cameras, installed six months ago at the north and south end of town for use in criminal investigation, were turned off as of 3:15 p.m. Thursday, and “they will be uninstalled in coming days,” city Communications and Engagement Director René Mitchell told KTVZ News.
The city also won’t renew the annual, nearly $20,000 contract with Flock, funded through a grant, that extends through May, Mitchell said.
“Council discussed the issues, heard input from community members and staff, and gave direction not to renew the contract,” she told us.
“Typically, contracts under $250,000 don’t go through Council,” Mitchell explained. “The City Manager determined the contract wouldn’t be renewed with this vendor, and Council agreed with that decision and then gave direction to turn the cameras off.”
Several Oregon cities have taken similar steps in recent months amid citizen concerns about access to the information gathered by the cameras.
Earlier story:
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ-Jan. 7) — Bend City Council chambers were filled Tuesday night as residents voiced strong concerns over the city’s use of Flock cameras, a license plate reader system used by law enforcement to help investigate crimes.
Flock is an automated license plate reader platform that captures images of vehicles, including license plates and identifying details such as make, model, and color. The system can alert police in real time when a vehicle matches a hotlist, such as a stolen car or a missing person.
While law enforcement and some city leaders say the technology can be a useful crime-fighting tool, many residents say it raises serious privacy and constitutional concerns.
Bend resident Jonathan Westmoreland told KTVZ News he began researching the system and felt compelled to speak out.
“So I did some research into Flock, and it seemed like their business practices are a violation of the Fourth Amendment rights of the citizens of Bend,” Westmoreland said. “After researching more, I felt it was my civic duty to come down here and see if I could do something to make a change.”
Residents cited fears of mass surveillance, continuous data collection on law-abiding drivers, and concerns about how long vehicle data is stored, who can access it, and whether it could be misused or breached.
According to the Bend Police Department, four Flock cameras are currently installed in the city — two on the north end of town and two on the south.
During the meeting, several councilors acknowledged the system does offer benefits, but said those benefits must be weighed against public trust and privacy concerns.
Councilor Ariel Mendez said the cameras have helped law enforcement, but raised concerns about the broader implications of the technology.
“Flock cameras do provide some benefits to help solve crimes,” Mendez said. “We heard that they have been useful in some law enforcement activities. However, there are also some pretty serious concerns about Flock security practices, access, and misuse of the database that they compile.”
City officials confirmed Bend’s contract with Flock runs through May 2026. Councilors said the four cameras will remain in place while discussions continue on whether to renew the contract or end the use of the cameras and any data they collect.
No final decision was made Tuesday night, and council members indicated the issue will return for further discussion before the contract expires.