EVERETT, FEB. 26: Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin announced a temporary suspension of Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) cameras within the city after a Snohomish County Superior Court judge ruled the data is subject to public record requests.
There are 71 ALPRs and three pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) cameras strategically placed in Everett, with the goal of aiding the Everett Police Department (EPD). The city partnered with Flock Safety in 2024 and renewed the program in 2025.
A Superior Court judge this week ruled that Flock Safety camera footage is subject to public records requests under the Public Records Act, The Daily Herald reported. Everett is now required to publicly disclose Flock Safety records when requested.
During Wednesday’s city council meeting, Mayor Franklin said that the city is still evaluating the implications of the ruling but it could mean the city would be required to “produce millions of records, which could take hundreds upon hundreds of hours of staff time.”
Franklin said that the ruling jeopardizes the identity of victims of domestic violence, stalking and other crimes.
“This is really disappointing,” Franklin said. “Due to how important this tool has been, from solving homicides to locating missing people. I remain hopeful for a fix this session in Olympia.”
A bill currently in the state Legislature would exempt Flock footage from public records requests, reversing the Snohomish County Superior Court judge ruling. Mayor Franklin said that they will evaluate the use of ALPRS once legislative action is taken in Olympia. The legislative session ends on Thursday, March 12.
Since its implementation, Everett Police has made more than 250 arrests using ALPRs, in addition to helping locate missing persons and vehicles, Franklin said.
Flock Safety ALPRs capture license plate and vehicle characters, and are not equipped with facial recognition, according to the city. The system sends alerts to law enforcement when a vehicle that has been reported as stolen, associated with a crime, or listed in a state alert is detected.
The use of the crime-reducing tech has been under scrutiny after investigations found that the federal government was tapping into the systems, seemingly for immigration enforcement.
In Everett, the system will not be used for traffic infractions, immigration enforcement, or monitoring 1st Amendment protected expressive activity, the city said.
EPD has a transparency portal, listing policies, usage, prohibited uses, and who can access their data.
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