Anti-Flock speakers dominate Fort Collins public comment

Opposition to Fort Collins’ contract with Flock Safety dominated general public comment Tuesday, with speaker after speaker urging City Council to scrap the police camera program over privacy, misuse and legal-risk concerns. Mayor Emily Francis said 35 people had signed up for general comment and reduced speaking time to two minutes, and many of those who spoke focused on Flock and agenda Item 29, which addresses automated license plate reader data retention and sharing.

William Salter, a recent Ridgeview Classical Schools graduate, asked the city to cancel the police contract with Flock Safety and remove the cameras. He said the system had produced some arrests and recoveries but argued those results did not justify “mass warrantless surveillance of every vehicle in the city.” Salter and other speakers cited incidents in other cities involving alleged improper access or installation of cameras, saying Fort Collins’ contract protections depend on whether the company follows them.

Walid Rahman pointed to a class-action lawsuit filed in Boulder over that city’s Flock cameras and warned that Fort Collins could face similar legal exposure. He said the program’s true cost goes beyond the reported $96,000 contract price because it also consumes time from elected officials, staff and residents. Zip, a local musician and activist, urged council to terminate the contract and, in the meantime, sharply limit data access and sharing, arguing the cameras create safety, privacy and legal risks and could aid outside agencies.

Several speakers said the city should choose the most restrictive option under Item 29 and eliminate the system entirely rather than merely tightening retention or sharing rules. Grace said she “strongly oppose[s] this Flock Safety contract on the grounds of fiscal and civil irresponsibility,” while Jamie Baird, a District 1 resident, called proposals short of termination “totally unacceptable.” Kimberly Connor thanked council for taking mass surveillance seriously but said Flock and similar systems should be removed until the city has an official plan to protect residents’ privacy.

Other commenters framed the issue as one of trust and oversight. Israiah Steyer said the city was right to begin building a surveillance-governance framework but argued it does not yet have those guardrails in place. Augustine Wright said the night’s testimony showed a clear consensus, telling council that “the town of Fort Collins would like these gone.” Alex, another speaker opposing the cameras, said residents had raised nuanced concerns about security, finances and liability and questioned what more deliberation was needed.

After public comment closed, Councilmember Chris Conway thanked residents who had continued showing up and said their testimony would inform council’s discussion later in the meeting. Francis then moved the meeting on to other business, with Flock emerging as the clear focal point of public participation that night.