Why Flock matters

Surveillance is a sensitive topic, and rightly so. In an age when technology touches nearly every part of our lives, questions about privacy, data use and government oversight are not only valid, they’re essential. That’s why I want to speak directly to our community about the Flock Safety camera system and how it fits into our mission to keep Durango safe, informed and engaged.

Let me begin by acknowledging the concerns raised in recent weeks. A petition with about 1,000 signatures, roughly 64% from residents within city limits, shows that many in our community care deeply about how technology is used in policing. We welcome that engagement. At the same time, we’ve also heard from many residents who support the system and the critical cases it has helped resolve. This conversation includes many voices, and we are listening to all of them.

Much has been said about how Flock was implemented, including claims that the program was adopted “quietly.” That is not accurate. The Durango Police Department presented the system’s capabilities and early successes during multiple public City Council study sessions, met with community groups, shared information on social media, and maintains a public transparency portal showing camera locations and usage statistics. This was not a covert rollout.

Current

Some of the most serious concerns involve data-sharing and immigration enforcement. Let me be clear: DPD did not distribute data to ICE or to agencies acting on its behalf. Some out-of-state agencies previously had access through a national network commonly used in modern policing. When it came to our attention that some held 287(g) contracts, we immediately revoked their access. Audit logs confirm that only six neighboring agencies searched DPD data, partners we routinely work with to solve burglaries, locate stolen vehicles, investigate missing persons and address violent crime. DPD’s data was also included in broader nationwide searches conducted by agencies across the state.

Still, concerns about data access are real and deserve attention. That is why DPD is further strengthening safeguards. We are modifying our process for granting data-sharing permissions and working with Flock to ensure that any agency requesting access must formally acknowledge compliance with Colorado immigration law and with DPD’s strict policy prohibiting the use of our data for immigration-enforcement purposes. We are also expanding our audit process: in addition to continuous internal auditing, we will now conduct annual third-party audits and report directly to our existing Citizen Complaint Review Committee.

It’s also important to understand what Flock technology actually does. The system reads license plates and the exterior of vehicles, information already visible on public roads, and allows officers to search only after suspicion of a crime exists for 30 days. Locally, this tool has prevented a planned kidnapping at Fort Lewis College, identified suspects in violent incidents, helped solve hit-and-run cases, supported child-exploitation investigations, and, most recently, helped officers intervene in a situation involving an infant in danger. These are not abstract examples; they are real cases involving real people in our community.

Durango is a small city facing challenges often seen in larger ones. This tool enhances officers’ capabilities with a daily population that can reach 40,000. We must use effective tools responsibly to keep our community safe. This technology is widely used nationwide and supported by legal precedent confirming that license plates on public roads carry no expectation of privacy. Even so, our focus is, and always will be, on individuals who harm others, not those simply going about their daily lives.

We will continue to be transparent, listen and improve. We remain committed to refining policies and strengthening oversight. Public safety and civil liberties are not opposing forces; they are partners and should be treated as shared responsibilities. With honest dialogue and intentional collaboration, we can uphold both and create a community where safety and freedom reinforce one another.

– DPD Chief Brice Current