OLYMPIA, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – A state bill is seeking to curtail a new form of surveillance camera.
SB 6002 would prevent any agency from accessing data stored on automated license plate reader systems outside of specific situations.
The plate readers, also known as Flock cameras, have been a source of controversy in the state after several law enforcement agencies ended contracts following their use in ICE operations.
If passed, the bill would prevent law enforcement agencies to use the cameras for reasons outside of enforcing state and federal law, barring immigration enforcement.
The bill language calls for Flock systems to be accountable, short-term, logged and limited in what it collects.
MyNorthwest reports that 23 other states have already passed legislation for the cameras to guard against privacy infringement.
KGMI previously reported that Bellingham has several privately-owned Flock cameras and police officers have not used them outside of pursuing criminal cases, including ICE requests.
