Residents and advocacy groups urge council to end Flock Safety contract over privacy and security concerns

A large and often emotional public-comment period at the Lexington Fayette Urban County Council's Aug. 27 meeting centered on the city's contract with Flock Safety and the use of automated license-plate readers (ALPRs).

Noah Cornett of the Bluegrass chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America urged the council to act immediately: "We urge the council to enact the following measures. Number 1 immediately cancel LFUCGs contract with flock safety." Cornett and many others demanded contract cancellation, deletion of non-evidentiary data, and removal of cameras within six months unless serving an ongoing legal investigation.

Speakers opposing Flock raised three recurring concerns: misidentification and false positives that can lead to traumatic police encounters; cybersecurity and unpatched software vulnerabilities; and warrantless, nationwide searchable tracking of vehicles and movement patterns. Cybersecurity critic Mel Moser summarized a technical report alleging out-of-date device software and cataloged vulnerabilities and argued that Flock's stated remediation timetable left unacceptable risk. "They have not at this time determined the need to remediate devices currently deployed," Moser said quoting the company response, and added that the company's timeline did not reassure her.

Organizers and many residents cited national reporting and local incidents as evidence of misuse. Clay Davis, director of We See You Watching Lexington, noted broad cross-ideological opposition in the room: "I oppose flock cameras and more especially, I harbor tremendous disdain for a system that sweeps all of us into a warrantless, searchable, nationwide database." Several commenters asked the council to require independent audits and to prohibit warrantless pattern-of-life searches.

At the same time, speakers from neighborhoods and community organizations urged keeping the system with oversight, saying ALPRs have helped solve violent crimes and recover stolen property. Billie Mallory, representing East End residents, said the neighborhood had experienced substantial reductions in violence and that "many of the people who live in the East End are grateful because they can now sit out on their porches." Lisa Gess, president of the Lexington Community Police Academy Alumni Association, urged the council to maintain the tool while sustaining strong policies and audits.

Council members did not take a vote on the Flock contract during the meeting. Multiple speakers asked the council to consider a 30-day written cancellation or to commission an independent audit and to require stricter limits on searches and data retention. Advocates on both sides requested clearer public-facing data about ALPR use and outcomes so residents can evaluate whether the technology improves public safety and at what cost to privacy.

The council adjourned after hearing the scheduled public comments. No formal action to extend, suspend or cancel the Flock contract was recorded at the meeting; several speakers said they would continue to press the council in coming weeks.