June 02nd, 2026

Linn Dems Executive Committee sends letter
to Council urging deactivation Flock cameras

 The Linn County Democrats Executive Committee recently approved and sent a letter to the Albany City Council expressing concerns about the use of Flock cameras (Automated License Plate Readers, or ALPRs), citing risks related to privacy, potential mass surveillance, and data misuse despite current safeguards. While acknowledging the transparency and efforts of local law enforcement, the committee urged the Council to keep ALPRs deactivated, arguing that the risks to civil liberties outweigh the benefits. At the May 27, 2026 meeting, the Albany City Council voted 4–2 not to renew the Flock camera contract. 
​  Here is the letter the Executive Committee sent to the City Council:

​"Dear Albany City Council Members,
  "We are writing to present our concerns regarding the use of Flock cameras, or Automated License Plate Readers (ALPRs) in Albany. Our members, many of whom are also Albany residents, are apprehensive around the use of ALPRs. In particular, the potential mass surveillance infrastructure, intrusion of personal privacy, and the potential for unwarranted violence pose substantial risks. All of which the Fourth and Fourteenth Amendments of the United States Constitution should protect us from.
  "We also share some of the concerns with members of the public regarding the misuse of data in other parts of Oregon, specifically around the recent violation of Sanctuary Laws via data use to the Federal Government and U.S Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) done by Oregon State Police. This is troubling considering the current Trump administration’s disregard for civil liberties and efforts to crack down on immigration and reproductive rights. These efforts are powered by sophisticated surveillance technologies. Public records show these agencies have accessed Albany’s ALPR records multiple times in spite of Oregon Sanctuary Law. Additionally, there have been instances where ALPR technology has been used to stalk ex-partners and romantic interests.
  "We appreciate APD's efforts to safeguard its community members and abide by state and local laws. We are grateful for their transparency and efforts to inform the public. Chief Harnden has demonstrated integrity by putting considerable effort into informing the public and allowing space for public discourse. However, we recognize that over time changes can happen among state government, state and local laws, and even police department staff. While our local law enforcement is currently trustworthy, current authentication processes and investigation procedures don’t fully prevent the misuse of community members’ data in the future. We feel that the current process is limited in its ability to have proper checks and balances by a third party. Once the data is accessible and used outside of the APD, there is less control on how it can be kept safe, especially in jurisdictions that do not have the same level of data protection policies.
  "The benefits of using ALPRs have been presented with sincerity in keeping crime rates low and being a tool used to resolve high profile crimes in the state. However, we feel that the risks to the public’s safety and civil liberties outweigh the benefits. We ask that the Albany City Council take steps that other jurisdictions in Oregon have made– including Lane County, Woodburn, Bend, and Springfield– and continue to keep the ALPRs in Albany deactivated now and in the future.
​  "Respectfully,
  "Executive Members of the Linn County Democrats"