Where we are
Automated License Plate Readers (ALPRs or LPRs) are AI-powered cameras that capture and analyze images of all passing vehicles, purportedly to assist law enforcement in fighting crime. Flock Safety is a major provider of ALPR technology.
There are currently hundreds of Flock cameras operating in Yakima County on both public and private property. See their location: deflock.org and Eyes On Flock. Roughly half the Flock cameras in Yakima are privately owned. When checked on 8/12/2026 the Yakima Police Department’s Flock Transparency Portal reported 352,288 unique plate reads and 488 user search sessions over the last 30 days.
Last legislative session, Washington State passed SB 6002 which outlawed ALPR data sharing outside of state agencies, including ICE. See the Bill Summary or download the Bill as Passed Legislation.
Nevertheless, YIRN’s Rapid Response team regularly observes ICE officers scanning license plate numbers of parked cars into their phones at local big box stores that have private Flock cameras. ICE has access to dozens of surveillance tools, including Flock. Read details in the TechDirt article.
In early February 2026, YIRN partnered with Yakima Valley College to bring Phil Neff from the UW Center for Human Rights to present on Flock Surveillance & Department of Licensing (DOL) Info Sharing. A video of the presentation is available on YIRN’s YouTube channel. A recent update of the UWCHR DOL Sharing report shows that arrests by federal immigration agencies tapping Washington drivers’ data have been steadily climbing. Read “Washington driver data still used in ICE arrests, UW report shows” (Yakima Herald) for details.
Opposition to Flock camera surveillance is growing nationwide across the political spectrum. For example, read: “Flock cameras are taking over, but many Americans are pushing back” on Military.com.
How we got here
On August 19, 2025, the Yakima City Council unanimously authorized an agreement with Flock Safety for annual subscription renewals for the Yakima Police Department, specifically for license plate recognition (LPR) cameras with vehicle fingerprint technology and cloud-based software platform. See the City Council Agenda Packet.
NOTE: Recent Yakima City Council meeting agendas, minutes, and agenda packets are available online. Meeting videos can be found on the City’s YPAC platform.
On January 13, 2026, the Yakima City Council held a study session on topics including a presentation by local law enforcement on ALPR use. See the Agenda (Section 3C).
Gov. Ferguson signed SB 6002, the Driver Privacy Protection Act, into law effective March 30, 2026, regulating Flock cameras. Read the ACLU overview of the law.
On June 16, 2026, the Yakima City Council considered a resolution presented by Police Chief Shawn Boyle to approve renewing annual subscription agreements with Flock Safety for the Yakima PD. Chief Boyle’s contribution to the council’s Agenda Packet relevant to the Flock contract renewal starts at page 127.
Watch a video of the full council meeting.
Many community members spoke in opposition and provided supporting documents for the council’s consideration that were not included in the Agenda Packet.
As quoted from the meeting minutes, with video timestamps added:
“After extensive Council discussion and consideration [beginning 0:54:31], “MOTION: Potrykus moved and Berg seconded to adopt the resolution. The motion failed by a 3-3 roll call vote; with Brown, Gonzales and Roy voting no; Glenn absent.”
Matt Brown then indicated his desire to carefully review the contract language before voting on renewal. [1:10:56]. After further discussion, “MOTION: Potrykus moved and Berg seconded to bring this resolution [Flock contract] back the first week of July. The motion carried with a 5-1 vote; with Gonzalez voting no; Glenn absent.”
Many of the community members who spoke in opposition to Flock then left the meeting room. [1:15:05]
Potrykus later moved under “Other Business” to reconsider the Flock resolution without acknowledging her earlier failure to raise concerns about delay. [1:49:20] The appropriateness of her motion under council rules was discussed. No council members acknowledged the absence of concerned community members.
“MOTION: Brown moved and Roy seconded to reconsider item 7M [related to agreements with Flock Safety]. The motion carried by unanimous vote; with Gonzalez voting no; Glenn absent.”
When the city attorney advised the council that debate on the contract renewal would resume, Brown exclaimed, “We went back in time.” [1:55:01].
“After Council discussion … MOTION: Potrykus moved and Byers seconded to adopt the resolution [Item 7M].
“The motion carried by a 5-1 roll call vote; with Gonzales voting no; Glenn absent.”
What’s next?
YIRN will continue to document ICE enforcement activity in our area and assist impacted community members. Volunteers interested in joining YIRN’s Rapid Response effort can find more information on the YIRN website.
The ACLU has launched a “Get The Flock Out” campaign to fight creepy ALPR cameras, with a toolkit for taking action.
DeFlock announced a National Week of Action Against ALPRs from August 16-22, 2026. You can sign up for updates on DeFlock’s NoALPRs website.
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The Yakima City Council has shown itself to be dismissive of its residents privacy and unwilling to listen to community concerns. YIRN strongly encourages the Yakima community to hold our elected officials accountable for the ongoing expense, use, and misuse of Flock technology.
Photo attribution – Wikimedia Commons – By Bruxton – Own work, CC0
