Americans are cheering for vigilantes who take down Flock cameras

The spontaneous and decentralized nature of the vigilante protests is also what makes them difficult to suppress. There isn’t a uniform method of disruption; people have done everything from unplugging, smashing, stealing, and spray-painting the surveillance devices to taking less destructive actions like physically blocking the cameras for hours. Some of the culprits have been caught, but that clearly hasn’t dissuaded others from taking matters into their own hands.

“Nonviolent direct action is a recognized and established tactic, and it’s unsurprising that we are seeing some people are resorting to that.”

Support for those taking drastic measures to get rid of the cameras has also become commonplace online. Last week, a police sheriff in Lumpkin County, Georgia, took to Facebook to announce a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of whoever destroyed a Flock Safety camera installed near a local park. “I hope you’re happy with this. It was to keep our kids safe,” Sheriff Stacy Jarrard said in a video, admonishing the unknown perpetrators while unintentionally confirming what many people already knew: Police are using the cameras to do a lot more than simply give out speeding tickets.

The response was not what he was expecting. Jarrard’s post has since received more than 30,000 comments, the vast majority opposing the cameras and many mocking the police and even praising the vandals. “Looks like a Constitutional wind blew it over,” taunted one commenter.

Subscribe to The Vergeto continue reading.

More in: The fight over Flock and other ALPRs

Go Flock yourself.

Jess Weatherbed Aug 251

Flocking Flock.

Emma Roth Aug 218

I find your lack of faith in Flock cameras disturbing.

TC Sottek Aug 209

The Verge Daily

A free daily digest of the news that matters most.

Email (required)

By submitting your email, you agree to ourTerms and Privacy Notice. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the GooglePrivacy PolicyandTerms of Serviceapply.

Advertiser Content From ![Image 7: Sponsor Logo This is the title for the native ad !Image 8: Sponsor Logo](https://www.theverge.com/)

More in Tech

!Image 9: DLSS 5 leaked and modders are putting Nvidia’s AI effects on everything

DLSS 5 leaked and modders are putting Nvidia’s AI effects on everything

!Image 10: Apple TV now costs $14.99 a month after its fourth price hike in four years

Apple TV now costs $14.99 a month after its fourth price hike in four years

!Image 11: Apple TV’s sci-fi thriller Dark Matter gets even trippier in season 2

Apple TV’s sci-fi thriller Dark Matter gets even trippier in season 2

!Image 12: Meta addresses ‘pervert glasses’ reputation with a privacy fix and a new marketing campaign

Meta addresses ‘pervert glasses’ reputation with a privacy fix and a new marketing campaign

!Image 13: GTA VI: all the news on Rockstar’s next entry in the Grand Theft Auto series

GTA VI: all the news on Rockstar’s next entry in the Grand Theft Auto series

!Image 14: Google’s AI note-taking app now allows you to interact with books

Google’s AI note-taking app now allows you to interact with books

!Image 15: DLSS 5 leaked and modders are putting Nvidia’s AI effects on everything!Image 16: DLSS 5 leaked and modders are putting Nvidia’s AI effects on everything

DLSS 5 leaked and modders are putting Nvidia’s AI effects on everything

Emma Roth 4:22 PM UTC23

!Image 17: Apple TV now costs $14.99 a month after its fourth price hike in four years!Image 18: Apple TV now costs $14.99 a month after its fourth price hike in four years

Apple TV now costs $14.99 a month after its fourth price hike in four years

Stevie Bonifield 1:47 PM UTC44

!Image 19: Apple TV’s sci-fi thriller Dark Matter gets even trippier in season 2!Image 20: Apple TV’s sci-fi thriller Dark Matter gets even trippier in season 2

Apple TV’s sci-fi thriller Dark Matter gets even trippier in season 2

Andrew Webster 12:00 PM UTC15

!Image 21: Meta addresses ‘pervert glasses’ reputation with a privacy fix and a new marketing campaign!Image 22: Meta addresses ‘pervert glasses’ reputation with a privacy fix and a new marketing campaign

Meta addresses ‘pervert glasses’ reputation with a privacy fix and a new marketing campaign

Emma Roth Aug 2748

!Image 23: GTA VI: all the news on Rockstar’s next entry in the Grand Theft Auto series!Image 24: GTA VI: all the news on Rockstar’s next entry in the Grand Theft Auto series

GTA VI: all the news on Rockstar’s next entry in the Grand Theft Auto series

Verge Staff 7:56 AM UTC

!Image 25: Google’s AI note-taking app now allows you to interact with books!Image 26: Google’s AI note-taking app now allows you to interact with books

Google’s AI note-taking app now allows you to interact with books

Emma Roth Aug 276

Advertiser Content From ![Image 27: Sponsor Logo This is the title for the native ad](https://www.theverge.com/)

Access the future of medical AI entirely on your device, from anywhere

Private medical intelligence is now available at your fingertips, with no remote service or internet connection needed.

By Blake Rong

As AI continues to evolve, one of the most notable advances challenges the assumption that powerful AI requires massive cloud infrastructure. No longer does AI have to be tethered to data centers and conventional hardware; instead, new developments in AI efficiency allow users to harness its power from a smart device in the palm of their hands. This has the potential to make an impact across an increasing number of industries.

[](https://www.theverge.com/)

- [](https://www.facebook.com/verge)

- [](https://www.threads.net/@verge)

- [](https://www.instagram.com/verge)

- [](https://www.youtube.com/user/theverge)

- [](https://www.theverge.com/rss/index.xml)

- Contact

- Tip Us

- Community Guidelines

- Archives

- About

- Ethics Statement

- How We Rate and Review Products

- Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Data

- Terms of Use

- Privacy Policy

- Your California Privacy Rights

- Your Privacy Choices

Penske Media Corporation

The Verge is a part of PMX Global, LLC, a subsidiary of Penske Media Corporation.

#### Our Sites

- The American Pavilion

- ARTnews

- Dick Clark Productions

- Eater

- FN

- The Hollywood Reporter

- Punch

- Soaps

- SXSW

- Variety

- Vibe

- WWD

This website is now part of PMX Global, LLC, a subsidiary of Penske Media Corporation. By continuing to use our services, you agree to the PMC Terms of Use, including waiver and arbitration. PMC, its service providers, and third-party partners process information about you and how you use our services, including clicks and screen recordings, using first and third-party cookies, pixels, and similar technologies. Where applicable, you can opt out of certain uses of cookies via the Your Privacy Choices link in our footer. Learn more about our data practices in our Privacy Policy.

Acknowledge

Notifications Drawer

Continue reading with a Verge subscription Unlock unlimited access to The Verge for just $2.

START YOUR TRIAL

Already a subscriber?Sign inBack toThe Verge Homepage

!Image 32!Image 33!Image 34!Image 35!Image 36!Image 37!Image 38!Image 39!Image 40!Image 41!Image 42!Image 43!Image 44

!Image 45: The Verge

Opt-Out Request Honored

Privacy Center

When you visit our website, we store cookies on your browser to collect information. The information collected might relate to you, your preferences or your device, and is mostly used to make the site work as you expect it to and to provide a more personalized web experience. However, you can choose not to allow certain types of cookies, which may impact your experience of the site and the services we are able to offer. Click on the different category headings to find out more and change our default settings according to your preference. You cannot opt-out of our First Party Strictly Necessary Cookies as they are deployed in order to ensure the proper functioning of our website (such as prompting the cookie banner and remembering your settings, to log into your account, to redirect you when you log out, etc.). For more information about the First and Third Party Cookies used please follow this link.

Cookie Policy Vendor List

Allow All

Manage Consent Preferences

#### Strictly Necessary Cookies

Essential

These cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched off in our systems. They are usually only set in response to actions made by you which amount to a request for services, such as setting your privacy preferences, logging in or filling in forms. You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site will not then work. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable information.

- ##### Functional Cookies

Essential

These cookies enable the website to provide enhanced functionality and personalisation. They may be set by us or by third party providers whose services we have added to our pages. If you do not allow these cookies then some or all of these services may not function properly.

- ##### Performance Cookies

Essential

These cookies allow us to count visits and traffic sources so we can measure and improve the performance of our site. They help us to know which pages are the most and least popular and see how visitors move around the site. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. If you do not allow these cookies we will not know when you have visited our site, and will not be able to monitor its performance.

View Vendor Details

#### Allow the Sale or Sharing/Targeted Advertising

- [x] Allow the Sale or Sharing/Targeted Advertising

As a valued user, we are providing you the ability to opt-out from the sharing of your personal information to advertisers and social media companies at any time across business platform, services, businesses and devices. You can opt-out of the sharing of your personal information by using this toggle switch. For more information on your rights and options see our privacy notice.

- ##### Social Media & Embedded Content

- [x] Switch Label

Content embedded on our sites (e.g. social media posts, video clips, polls and games) originates from third party sources such as social media platforms, video sharing sites, or other third party websites. When this content loads on pages you visit, any cookies or similar tracking technologies set by the third party source in connection with that content may also load. Vox Media doesn't set these cookies and doesn't control them. These cookies may be capable of tracking your browser across sites and/or building a profile of your interests. Not allowing these cookies will impact what content you can see and engage with on our sites.

- ##### Targeting Cookies

- [x] Switch Label

These cookies may be set through our site by our advertising partners. They may be used by those companies to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant adverts on other sites. They do not store directly personal information, but are based on uniquely identifying your browser and internet device. If you do not allow these cookies, you will experience less targeted advertising.

View Vendor Details

Vendors List

Clear

- - [x] checkbox label label

Apply Cancel

Consent Leg.Interest

- [x] checkbox label label

Confirm My Choices

![Image 46: Powered by Onetrust](https://www.onetrust.com/products/cookie-consent/)

Americans are cheering for vigilantes who take down Flock cameras