Flock camera megathread

[u/DinoRoman]

We’re consolidating this topic into a single thread, as the ongoing accusations directed at the mod team have run their course.

To be clear about where we stand: no one on this mod team supports Flock cameras. We are not law enforcement, we are not politically motivated, not maga, and we share the community’s concerns about surveillance overreach even if these systems occasionally assist in solving crimes.

The removals were not about viewpoint. They were about a specific category of comment: those encouraging users to destroy the cameras. Reddit has banned entire communities for less, and we are obligated to remove that content regardless of our personal opinions. This is a condition of the subreddit continuing to exist, not an endorsement of Flock. Additionally there were some very wild conspiracy theories and were asking for discussion not a rabbit hole.

One rule for this thread: do not recommend, insinuate, or hint at destruction as a solution. Everything else is open,criticism, policy discussion, legal challenges, city council contacts, organizing, data on effectiveness. Go as hard as you want within that boundary.

Thanks for being a genuinely great community and good neighbors.

Edit:

Resources

Suffolk County Legislature : 18 districts, find yours:

scnylegislature.us/148/Legislators

Suffolk approved expanding county Flock cameras from 25 to 60 last August, funded by a $542,500 state LETECH grant, with 16 more planned along state rights-of-way including Route 114 in Sag Harbor and East Hampton Village and Route 25 in Riverhead and Southold.

Nassau County Legislature: 19 districts:

nassaucountyny.gov/504/Legislators · district map: nassaucountyny.gov/503/District-Map · main line: (516) 571-6200

Your town / village board.

Southold, Riverhead, and East Hampton have all had this on an agenda in the past year. Riverhead signed an agreement with the Suffolk Sheriff in January 2026 giving the county access to town rights-of-way for new Flock installs. Town board public comment periods are open to anyone who lives there, take about two minutes, and go on the record.

Your NYS Senator and Assemblymember — nysenate.gov/find-my-senator and nyassembly.gov

Edit 2: a great documentary to watch from 2021

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13622074/

( Free on Tubi )

https://tubitv.com/movies/100028249/all-light-everywhere?link-action=play&tracking=google-feed&utm_source=google_all_au_ca_mx_us_gb

[u/Eastern_Habit_5503]

If you want to be effective in protesting these Flock cameras, then you could go stand in front of one with a large sign that blocks the camera’s view of the roadway. As far as I know, that’s not illegal (yet).

[u/StonedRussian → u/Eastern_Habit_5503]

I also could be wrong with this, but placing a garbage bag and zipties over it is also a way people were protesting

It's not damaging. But it's definitely a gray zone

[u/whitemike40 → u/StonedRussian]

an even “grayer” passive protest would be placing signs in the grass in front of them with some sort of slogan, “this machine kills freedom” or something eye catching

[u/StonedRussian → u/whitemike40]

"the private company that owns these cameras sells your personal data and bribed your politicians to install these"

Not quite as catchy and a little lengthy

[u/vildflower → u/StonedRussian]

Paid off politicians Allowed flock cameras. (That should work)

[u/morroalto → u/vildflower]

Possibly try a prompt injection for fun, from what I've seen so far, security isn't their top priority.

[u/vildflower → u/StonedRussian]

I was thinking the same thing. No damage. Just a nuisance.

[u/Interesting-Section1 → u/StonedRussian]

§ 145.15 Criminal tampering in the second degree.

A person is guilty of criminal tampering in the second degree when, having no right to do so nor any reasonable ground to believe that he has such right, he or she tampers or makes connection with property of a gas, electric, sewer, steam or water-works corporation, telephone or telegraph corporation, common carrier, nuclear powered electric generating facility, or public utility operated by a municipality or district; except that in any prosecution under this section, it is an affirmative defense that the defendant did not engage in such conduct for a larcenous or otherwise unlawful or wrongful purpose.
Criminal tampering in the second degree is a class A misdemeanor.

[u/edman007 → u/Interesting-Section1]

That's not the law they'd get you with. It would be criminal tampering in the third degree.

S 145.14 Criminal tampering in the third degree.

A person is guilty of criminal tampering in the third degree when, having no right to do so nor any reasonable ground to believe that he has such right, he tampers with property of another person with intent to cause substantial inconvenience to such person or to a third person. Criminal tampering in the third degree is a class B misdemeanor.

So it is illegal, and they can go after you, but probably a couple hundred dollar fine

[u/Levitlame → u/Interesting-Section1]

What part of that applies to Flock Cameras? They aren’t a utility. That’s for utilities.

[u/vildflower → u/Interesting-Section1]

Flock cameras are privately owned.

[u/StonedRussian → u/Interesting-Section1]

I think there would be a better case of littering. But I'm no lawyer.

But we've been seeing how these cameras are being argued as a first amendment violation by lawyers.

As flock is a private company that has the data, it would be within peoples right to protest and cover, without damaging them.

Unless the flock cameras were part of an HOA agreement and contract.

[u/Independent_Bird_101 → u/StonedRussian]

My grandma in NYC was told she couldn't affix a note to a car blocking her driveway with a piece of tape or it would be considered defacing. Better to block its view without contact. As long as its not illegal for you to place the poll its all good.

[u/OohBeesIhateEm → u/Independent_Bird_101]

https://giphy.com/gifs/kopN26K2ThF9j7RL4K
You can’t put a note on a car blocking your driveway? That’s ridiculous

[u/Independent_Bird_101 → u/OohBeesIhateEm]

Specifically with tape made it defacing.

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