Skagit County Superior Court Judge Elizabeth Yost Neidzwski ruled that images from Flock Safety’s automated license plate reader cameras in Stanwood and Sedro-Woolley qualify as public records under Washington’s Public Records Act.
Following a request by Washington resident Jose Rodriguez for one hour of Flock camera images, Stanwood and Sedro-Woolley sought a court ruling to declare that vendor-stored data did not count as public records. Judge Neidzwski rejected that argument, stating that the cities’ ALPR images support a government purpose and meet the definition of a public record.
Flock Safety’s spokesperson stated that the court’s ruling does not change the status quo in Washington, as these records were already covered by the law before the ruling. They emphasized the need for legislative fixes to address frivolous lawsuits against communities for technical violations of disclosure requirements.
Privacy advocates and digital rights groups like the Electronic Frontier Foundation have voiced concerns over the ruling, highlighting the potential risks to privacy if access to ALPR data is not managed responsibly. They argue that the government’s obligation is to its citizens, ensuring transparency and accountability, rather than shielding vendors from public scrutiny.
Law enforcement agencies, on the other hand, maintain that access to such data must be balanced with the need to protect ongoing investigations and maintain public safety. The ruling has sparked broader discussions about the role of third-party vendors in data collection and the balance between transparency and privacy.