Some birds of a feather are unFlocking together

Flock Safety cameras and similar license plate readers (LPRs) are popping up across the country, including in Hamilton County.

Proponents say these cameras use necessary surveillance to provide more robust public safety. Opponents say that surveillance is never about safety.

In fact, some opponents say the cameras constitute a warrantless search in violation of the Fourth Amendment of the United States Constitution. Some proponents say that since license plates are in plain view, there is no Fourth Amendment violation.

Regardless of where you stand, the fact is that increasing privacy concerns among the public are leading many to take action to remove these cameras. One legal option some communities have used is canceling local government contracts. An illegal option some individuals have used is physically cutting down cameras.

Just in Indiana, both the City of Bloomington and Monroe County have canceled their contracts with Flock Safety. Bloomington canceled its contract after more than 400 citizens protested at city hall.

In Hamilton County, nearly 200 LPRs are in use in every town and city, and even in some rural areas. You can check the map at deflock.org to see where cameras are in use.

Both I and The Hamilton County Reporter Newspaper do not endorse any illegal action taken to remove Flock Safety cameras or other LPR devices. I do, however, personally endorse legal, nonviolent protest and action taken in an effort to convince public officials to cancel any contracts and remove these devices from public roadways.

Security is a worthy goal. It’s necessary to maintain order in a functioning society. However, any reasonable person can conclude that generalized, widespread scanning, photographing, tracking, and storing of citizens’ movements are not fundamental in maintaining security and order.

It’s time for citizens to assert their rights to privacy, not give them up for a bit of security theater.

Isaac Taylor is one of the owners of the Hamilton County Reporter, as well as the Circulation Director and page designer. You won’t find him anywhere online, so don’t bother looking. However, he welcomes your comments on his columns at ReadTheReporter.com.