A nationwide wave of protesters and vandals targeting surveillance cameras made by Flock Safety did not deter a man in a Darth Vader costume from praising the devices at a recent city council meeting in San Diego, California. His Star Wars-themed acclaim, as it turned out, was anything but.
The long view on every tracked topic
Substantial national analysis and explainer pieces about the topics UnGovr tracks. Day-to-day decisions, approvals, and disputes stay on the main page; this page collects the reporting that explains the bigger picture.
Surveillance watchwatch.org
Flock cameras trigger nationwide backlash over privacy concerns, police abuse
New Research Finds License Plate Readers Reduce Auto Theft, but Privacy Concerns Remain
As communities across the country debate the use of automated license plate readers, new research provides evidence that the technology can reduce vehicle theft — while also raising questions about whether law enforcement agencies have adequate safeguards to prevent abuse.