Vineyard, Utah – In a unanimous vote, the Vineyard City Council adopted a resolution to cancel the city’s contract with Flock, a company that provides traffic‑monitoring cameras. The decision follows a grassroots push by local residents worried about the collection and storage of video data.
Residents raise privacy alarms
Community member Jacob Schooley first noticed the cameras installed along several entry and exit roads to the city. “I saw other towns get rid of them, so I asked why we couldn’t,” Schooley said. His concerns centered on where the footage would ultimately be stored and who could access it.
Schooley brought the issue to Councilmember Jacob Wood, who downloaded an app that tracks Flock devices and confirmed their presence in Vineyard. Wood noted that many constituents shared Schooley’s unease, stating, “They just don’t want to be surveilled, and the Flock brand has lost a lot of public trust.”
Collaboration with law‑enforcement and civil‑rights groups
To better understand the legal and privacy implications, Wood consulted the Utah County Sheriff’s Office and the ACLU of Utah. Their combined findings formed the basis of the resolution now on the council’s record.
“At the end of the day, we work for the residents,” Wood said during the meeting. “And the residents didn’t want Flock in Vineyard.” The resolution directs city staff to review the existing contract and, “at the earliest date possible,” terminate it.
Contractual steps and timeline
The Sheriff’s Office confirmed that discussions are underway with the vendor, the city, and legal counsel to determine the exact steps required to end the agreement. Wood emphasized that the process is a matter of “when, not if,” expressing optimism that the city will soon be free of the surveillance system.
Although the cameras remain physically installed for now, the city’s agreement with the Utah County Sheriff’s Office obligates the vendor to cooperate with the termination effort. Residents can expect the cameras to be removed once contractual obligations are satisfied.
Regional trend toward removal
Vineyard joins at least two other Utah municipalities—Tremonton‑Garland and Washington Terrace—that have recently discontinued the use of Flock cameras. The growing opposition reflects a broader community desire for privacy and local control over surveillance technology.
Schooley hopes Vineyard’s action will serve as a model for neighboring cities. “Other towns can either switch to a different system or eliminate tracking altogether,” he said.
Company response pending
Fox 13 News reached out to Flock for comment on Vineyard’s decision. The company has not yet responded.
Original reporting: FOX 13 KSTU (Scripps) – Utah County — read the source article.
