Hi neighbors,
Keeping this short today, but there is real news to share.
First, a huge congratulations to Councilmember elect Sam Doyle. After a very close race, decided by only twenty votes, our community chose a fresh and progressive voice for the Mountlake Terrace City Council. Sam and her team put in an enormous amount of work. I’m confident they knocked on more doors, raised more funds, earned more endorsements, and volunteered more hours than any MLT City Council campaign in history. They did all of it with optimism and kindness. Well done to Sam and her team.
And then the other big headline. Last night the City Council voted to cancel the contract with Flock Safety. The vote was unanimous. After seven months of public comment, emails, neighborhood conversations, and steady community advocacy, the council decided it was time to step back from this system.
Thank you to everyone who spoke at meetings, wrote thoughtful emails, researched policy, talked with your neighbors, or simply took the time to learn what this technology does. It mattered. The council heard you.
Here is how Councilmember Bryan Wahl explained his motion to cancel [lightly edited for clarity]:
While many of us supported it originally with the intent of improving public safety, we had heard from other cities that had implemented Flock and reported success in reducing vehicle theft and similar issues. We adopted it with the intent of improving public safety.
But since then, we have seen that it has been used in ways that have been weaponized against cities and their residents and has brought division to our community. Most recently, we saw a judge rule that the records are public.
I could go on but we have heard from our residents about the many troubles and challenges this system could bring. I think it has caused too much division in our community, and I think it is time to pull the plug. I move that we officially cancel the contract with Flock.
There are so many other great things going on in the community from food forests to supporting vulnerable neighbors. Hope to write about some of those soon. In the meantime, enjoy your holidays.
Dustin