Renton removes Flock cameras after contract end

Renton City Council members debated the future of automated license plate recognition technology for months before the city decided to let its current agreement lapse. The decision ends a three-year partnership with Flock Safety, a company that installed surveillance hardware at major intersections across the city.

City attorney Shane Moloney informed the council on October 21 that the Renton Police Department issued a notice of non-renewal to stop the contract from extending automatically. The existing agreement expires on November 2. Mayor Armondo Pavone confirmed at the October 26 meeting that the city will not sign a new deal unless the council approves it. A previous vote on August 10 rejected a motion to formally end the contract, but the administrative notice ensures the cameras go dark when the term concludes.

The 24 stationary Flock cameras have been inactive since May 4, 2026. Council members voted on August 3 to place physical covers over the units to block their view. While the Flock hardware is offline, the council voted on July 22 to reactivate other automated systems, including Axon cameras in police vehicles and Genetec cameras used for parking enforcement.

Councilmember Carmen Rivera requested a formal public announcement regarding the contract status after learning of the non-renewal quietly. Rivera noted that residents raised concerns about the technology at weekly meetings and community events. She described the issue as bipartisan, stating that she heard worries from constituents at various gatherings.

Renton Police reported that the Flock system cost the city $80,000 annually. Unlike school zone or red light cameras, the Flock units did not generate revenue for the city. The department originally contracted with Flock Safety in November 2024 to install the 24 cameras at key intersections.

Private individuals and companies can still operate Flock cameras on their own property through separate agreements. Public Information Officer Meeghan Black stated that the department does not know the specific locations of these privately owned units. Businesses are not required to report their camera locations because the hardware sits on private land.

Washington Senate Bill 6002 limits how government agencies collect, access, share, and retain ALPR data. Flock’s website notes that the law does not prevent private entities from voluntarily sharing data with police. The company also states that agencies may obtain data from privately owned cameras with a warrant or court order.