Supported by President Donald Trump and opposed by individuals like protesting park rangers, Flock Cameras are extremely controversial among Americans who oppose the idea of mass surveillance. Now anonymous vandals have registered their protest against Flock Camera in an unusually explicit way — by mentioning Jeffrey Epstein.
"An unidentified person cut down two Flock cameras in suburban Houston, Texas on Friday," reported Gizmodo's Matt Novak on Tuesday. "That’s not shocking in itself, given the intense backlash nationwide against the surveillance devices. But the vandal did do something a little unique this time. They left a message behind suggesting why they did it. Whoever cut the Flock cameras down wants the Epstein files to be released."
Novak added, "Surveillance footage captured a hooded figure in Cypress, Texas, cutting down one Flock camera in the early morning hours of Friday, according to local news outlet ABC 13. A second Flock camera in the area was also cut down."
He continued, "The cameras run on solar panels, which appear to have been vandalized with white spray paint and a stencil, judging by the video captured by ABC 13. They read: “Release the Epstein Files.”"
Novak also wrote, "It’s unclear whether the vandal believes there’s a direct link between Flock and the fact that the Department of Justice has refused to release all government-held files on the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. President Donald Trump, who was Epstein’s “best friend” for about 15 years before they had some kind of falling out in the 2000s, has generally supported Flock cameras."
Flock Cameras are sold to governments on the premise that they make it easier for law enforcement to do its job and keep the public safe. By contrast, many people are uncomfortable with the fact that they are monitored by these cameras whenever they walk or drive. Some lawmakers have even said they are taking action about it.
"Two bills are before Congress," retired New York Times senior editor Terry H. Schwadron wrote on Tuesday. "The Ban Flock Act introduced this month by Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-NY, and Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., would prohibit federal agencies from using ALPRs and cut off federal funding to state and local governments that use them. The Flock-Off Act Introduced by Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., seeks to strip federal funding from municipalities that operate covered automated camera systems, though it has drawn debate over its broader impact on red light and speed cameras."
Schwadron went on, "The ACLU argues that where we drive is none of the government’s business, organizing a “Get the Flock Out” campaign, organizing local pushbacks, calling for complete bans on ALPR networks."
