Surprise councilmember says city removing Flock cameras

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By Jason Stone
Mail | X: @thestonecave

Surprise has ended its contract with Flock Safety for use of its cameras and the company has been ordered to remove its 28 cameras across the city.

Councilmember Jack Hastings confirmed the city's response after suspending the program last week when an "anomoly" was found in the Surprise Police Department and an officer was place on suspension pending an investigation.

It also comes after Surprise city council member Nick Haney called for the removal of the cameras immediately.

Haney, the District 1 representative, wanted Surprise to end the use of its automatic license plate reader cameras after the city joined the list of Valley cities to suffer potential misuse of its Flock system.

Surprise officials suspended the program last week after the potential misuse was found.

Surprise has 28 Flock cameras installed along roads across the city, tracking drivers and storing their locations for 30 days. The cameras have been in operations since March 2024.

Jason Stone can be reached at jstone@iniusa.org. Submit comments at yourvalley.net/letters or email them to AzOpinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as they meet our Civility Guidelines.

Jason Stone
Senior News Editor | Surprise

jstone@iniusa.com

Meet Jason
Jason Stone joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in 2019, after a distinguished three decade media career that included stops at the Arizona Republic, iHeart Media/Clear Channel and Beckett Sports Card magazine. He remembers when airports sold newspapers.

Community: He is a big supporter of the Valley's original sports team: The Phoenix Suns.

Education: Northern Arizona University with a BS in broadcast journalism and a minor in sports coaching.

Random Fact: The capital of Nebraska is Lincoln.

Hobbies: Surfing, backgammon and men who aren't afraid to cry.