Add as preferred on Google
Fears that the Flock Safety camera surveillance system could facilitate arrests made by federal immigration agents have led the City of Woodburn to disband the network.
In use by the city since January 2025, the 23 surveillance cameras were installed to read license plates to track the whereabouts of suspect vehicles.
Federal Agencies Conducted More Than 6,000 Searches of the Surveillance System
However, public fears were realized when a city audit released last February revealed that federal agencies had conducted 6,089 searches of the camera network between January and November 2025.
Tidings Data Snapshot
Woodburn Flock Camera AuditSources: City of Woodburn Flock Q&A and Woodburn camera audit reportingDailyTidings.com
The agencies that had accessed the information included the U.S. Border Patrol and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
With one of the highest concentrations of immigrants in Oregon, the Woodburn City Council decided to terminate its contract with Flock Safety at the end of April, and all of the cameras were removed by May 13.
The surveillance cameras did assist local law enforcement. While in operation, the cameras helped police in 354 investigations, 16 arrests, the recovery of nine stolen vehicles, and the seizure of illicit drugs such as fentanyl and methamphetamine.
Be the first to comment.