Flock Safety Workers Call Police on Journalists Filming Public Camera Installations
Surveillance company employees report journalists to police for documenting their work in public spaces.
1Journalist Documents Camera Installation
Emmy-winning reporter Brendan Keefe attempted to film Flock Safety technicians installing surveillance cameras on public roads. He parked at a distance, wore press identification, and used professional equipment. The technician immediately packed up and left upon noticing the journalist, prompting Keefe to follow at a distance to document the next installation site.
2Technician Calls 911 on Reporter
The Flock Safety worker called police, claiming harassment despite Keefe's visible press credentials. The technician falsely asserted he knew the reporter's intentions, leading to three police units responding. This incident occurred in broad daylight on public streets where filming is legally permitted.
3Irony of Surveillance Complaints
Keefe pointed out the paradox to officers: Flock installs cameras tracking public movements but objects to being filmed themselves. The company later stated they don't oppose public filming, yet this was the second incident that summer where employees summoned police over documentation attempts.
4Previous Incident with YouTubers
In June, Smyrna police responded to a Flock employee's 911 call about YouTubers filming outside their distribution center. The caller repeatedly suggested the filmmakers might be armed without evidence. Though no charges were filed, the group received trespass warnings.
5Police Response Duration
Officers detained Keefe for 17 minutes before releasing him without charges. The stop followed the same pattern as the June incident, where police were called but no legal violations were found. Both cases involved filming in public spaces near Flock operations.
6Company's Safety Justification
Flock Safety defended their employees' actions, stating field workers must prioritize personal safety. They maintain a policy allowing law enforcement contact when workers feel threatened, despite public filming being legally protected activity.
7Surveillance Industry Tensions
These incidents highlight growing tensions between surveillance companies and public oversight. Flock's cameras, now ubiquitous in many communities, face scrutiny about their installation practices and data collection policies.
8Chilling Effect on Journalism
The repeated police calls create potential chilling effects on press freedom. Journalists documenting public surveillance infrastructure face disproportionate responses, raising concerns about corporate influence on law enforcement priorities regarding First Amendment activities.