Hi neighbors,

As part of the public records request I filed earlier this summer, I came across this map showing where, at least at the time, the City was planning to put the nine Flock cameras in Mountlake Terrace.

This isn’t brand new information, the map was created months ago, but it hasn’t been shared with the public until now. To me, seeing the likely placements makes the system feel a lot less abstract. These are real corners of our city, with real people driving and walking by every day.

Preliminary map of potential Flock ALPR camera locations in Mountlake Terrace

Here’s the list of preliminary locations:

  • 236th St SW @ Van Ry Boulevard Eastbound

  • 56th Ave W @ 244th St SW Northbound

  • 236th St SW @ Cedar Way Westbound

  • 66th Ave W @ 216th St SW Southbound

  • 220th St SW @ 70th Ave W Eastbound

  • Van Ry Boulevard @ 244th St SW Northbound

  • Lakeview Drive @ 65th Pl W Westbound

  • 56th Ave W @ 220th St SW Southbound

The Upgrade Problem

Just four days after our council voted yes, Flock published a blog post announcing that every LPR camera — including the kind being installed here — will soon be able to stream live video and capture clips with a simple software update. No new hardware, no permits, no extra cost. Read about it here: Why Video Is the Missing Link in Your LPR Program.

Here’s how they describe it:

❝

“Free, optional software update. No new hardware, no permits, no extra cost.
Same lens, same angle and field-of-view as the LPR.
See basic video clips for every plate read.
Zero lift for your team. Free and optional to opt in.”

Sounds simple. Just check a box, and suddenly Mountlake Terrace has a network of live video cameras.

But what would it actually mean here?

  • Would it take a contract amendment with Flock?

  • Would it require a Mountlake Terrace Police Department policy change?

  • Would MOUs with other cities have to be updated?

  • Would it come to the City Council for approval?

  • Would residents even know about a change like this without strong oversight in place?

And what about the other “features” Flock is pushing — like using the camera network not just to investigate based on suspicion, but to generate suspicion itself?

These are clearly features Flock will be pushing their customers to implement. If other nearby agencies start to check that box, will MLT follow along because everyone else is doing it? With how little scrutiny our contract got in the first place, how confident can we be that these kinds of changes will be presented transparently, with real analysis, before they’re adopted?

I wanted to pass along this map so you can see what I’ve been seeing. What stands out to you? Do these locations make sense? Do they raise new concerns?

Hit reply if you want to share your thoughts. I’d love to hear from you.

Thanks for reading,
Dustin

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