Surveillance Technology Governance

In Progress 6 meetings

Status: In Progress — Awaiting City Council action Lead Body: City Council Related Bodies: Human Relations Commission First Discussed: January 2026

The City of Boulder's use of Flock Safety Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) cameras has generated significant debate about surveillance technology governance, privacy, immigration enforcement implications, and civil rights. Boulder Police deployed Flock Safety cameras without a formal community engagement process. The HRC raised concerns about lack of oversight, potential use by immigration enforcement, and the absence of a city-wide surveillance technology policy.

The HRC became the primary civic body pushing for stronger oversight — passing recommendations, requesting a temporary moratorium on new deployments, and sending a formal letter to City Council calling for action. The Council has not yet adopted a comprehensive governance ordinance.

Timeline

Date Body Event
2026-01-08 City Council Public comment (Marcus Leven, Taylor Kleti) urging Flock Safety contract non-renewal — cited security vulnerabilities, unencrypted data storage, overseas data sharing; referenced cities that deactivated Flock (Flagstaff, Cambridge, Bend)
2026-02-09 Human Relations Commission Detailed ALPR discussion; immigration enforcement implications
2026-03-05 City Council Received and discussed HRC surveillance technology concerns
2026-03-07 Human Relations Commission Approved recommendation letter to City Council (unanimous)
2026-03-16 Human Relations Commission Formally sent letter to Mayor Brockett and City Council
2026-04-16 City Council Public comment: Nate Wasilik urged ban on AI-enabled surveillance tech including Live View Technologies (similar to Flock Safety); noted third-party server data storage

Key Decisions

  • 2026-03-16 — HRC unanimously sent letter requesting: (1) temporary moratorium on new surveillance tech deployments, (2) community engagement process, (3) comprehensive surveillance technology governance policy

Open Questions

  • City Council has not yet adopted a surveillance tech governance ordinance
  • Status of moratorium request unclear
  • Data retention and sharing policies with law enforcement unresolved

Related Meetings