Eugene Police Chief Chris Skinner announced that his department has ended its partnership with Flock Safety due to a camera’s brief reactivation during a maintenance call. The city had paused use of the technology in mid-October, but it was inadvertently turned back on for a short period, collecting data.
Skinner explained that he became aware of the issue last week and decided to end the contract after learning about the camera’s oversight. Flock Safety initially said they had effectively turned off the cameras when Eugene requested their pause.
However, the company’s computer box continued to operate maintenance software, which resulted in the camera turning back on. Skinner stated that he was unaware of anyone accessing data from the brief reactivation and attributed the mistake to a lack of process for manually blocking maintenance work orders.
The decision comes after citizens voiced strong opposition to the Flock cameras, citing concerns about mass surveillance and constitutional rights. Eugene police had paid for the technology using state grants to combat organized retail theft.
Springfield police have also announced their plan to cancel their contract with Flock Safety, but will continue to use a component of the technology that meets their standards for data security.
The city’s cost for the cameras is still unclear, and Skinner said he doesn’t know if the money spent is a total loss. Eugene City Manager Sarah Medary has requested a prorated refund from Flock Safety.
Skinner defended the use of license-plate recognition technology, stating that it has helped with investigations into various crimes. However, he acknowledged the need for more transparency and accountability in its implementation.
As the cities move forward, they will need to establish guardrails for adopting new technology, according to Eyes Off Eugene organizer Ky Fireside. The organization is pushing for clearer data protection measures and community oversight.
Source: https://lookouteugene-springfield.com/story/latest-news/2025/12/09/flock-activated-camera-during-pause-chief-says-pushing-city-to-axe-contract