The city of Everett, Washington, has officially reactivated its network of Flock license plate reader cameras after a brief hiatus. The decision, led by Mayor Cassie Franklin, comes immediately following the signing of Senate Bill 6002 by Governor Bob Ferguson—a new law designed to regulate the use of automated surveillance technology across the state.
Key Details of the Reactivation:
- Response to Legal Rulings: Everett had previously shut down its 68-camera network in February 2026 after a Snohomish County judge ruled that the footage was subject to public disclosure. City officials feared that making the data public could allow stalkers or criminals to track residents’ movements.
- New Legislative Protections: Senate Bill 6002 provides the “fix” the city was looking for by specifically exempting license plate reader data from the Public Records Act. It also imposes strict usage limits, such as a 21-day data retention cap and prohibitions against using the cameras for immigration enforcement or near sensitive locations like schools and hospitals.
- Operational Status: Most of the city’s cameras were brought back online by April 7, 2026. Data from the city’s transparency portal reveals that the reactivated system has already processed over 500,000 vehicle detections within its first month of returning to service.
- Ongoing Legal Battles: Despite the new law, the city is still working to vacate the earlier court ruling. A hearing is scheduled for mid-May to determine how the new legislation affects existing public records requests for past footage.
City leaders emphasize that the technology is a vital tool for solving crimes like vehicle theft and locating missing persons, while privacy advocates maintain that the 21-day retention period remains too long and warrants further oversight.
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