07/23/2026
Statement Regarding the City of Kelso's Flock Safety Camera System
As Chief of Police for the City of Kelso, my foremost responsibility is to protect life, maintain public order, and enforce state and local laws. I have been entrusted by our elected officials and our community to take reasonable, lawful actions that enhance public safety. Preserving life, preventing crime, and solving crime are among the highest priorities of the Kelso Police Department. Flock Safety cameras are one of the tools that help us accomplish these responsibilities more effectively while also providing our officers with technology that enhances their ability to perform their duties safely and professionally.
Before implementing the Flock system, I became aware of a considerable amount of misinformation regarding its capabilities, how it operates, and the laws governing its use. Unfortunately, inaccurate information has contributed to unnecessary fear, misunderstandings about Fourth Amendment protections and skepticism regarding how law enforcement agencies use technology in their communities. I believe our community deserves accurate information so residents can make informed judgments based on facts rather than assumptions.
As many have already noticed, a number of Flock cameras are being strategically installed throughout the City of Kelso. Our community is uniquely situated along the Interstate 5 corridor, with two of the three freeway exits serving as major gateways between Kelso and Longview. Those locations experience significant vehicle traffic every day, making them ideal locations to identify vehicles associated with criminal activity.
The cameras have been placed where we believe they provide the greatest opportunity to detect stolen vehicles, vehicles associated with wanted felony and gross misdemeanor suspects, and vehicles connected to AMBER Alerts, SILVER Alerts or missing and endangered persons. In practical terms, each camera serves as another set of eyes within our community, increasing the likelihood that officers can quickly locate a vehicle of interest, intervene when appropriate and protect innocent members of our community.
An equally valuable benefit is the ability to assist in criminal investigations after a crime has occurred. The system retains searchable data for 21 days, allowing officers and detectives investigating felony and gross misdemeanor offenses to identify investigative leads that may not otherwise exist. In many cases, this technology can significantly reduce investigative time and improve the likelihood of identifying and apprehending criminal offenders.
The purpose of the Flock system is straightforward: to help law enforcement prevent crime, solve crime, recover stolen vehicles, and safely locate missing or endangered individuals. Ultimately, our objective is to make Kelso a safer community while providing faster assistance to those who need it most.
Flock Safety cameras are currently being used by thousands of law enforcement agencies across the country, including Washington State, and they have proven to be an effective investigative tool. I recognize that some people are concerned the system "tracks" their movements. That characterization is simply inaccurate.
A Flock camera captures a single still image of the rear of a passing vehicle and records information such as the license plate and visible vehicle characteristics. The system does not record continuous video, identify drivers or passengers, determine where a vehicle originated or where it is traveling, monitor a person's movements, measure vehicle speed, or reveal what is occurring inside the vehicle. The captured image is automatically deleted after 21 days unless it has become evidence in a criminal investigation.
In many respects, the information collected by a Flock camera is far less intrusive than what a uniformed police officer can observe while watching a vehicle travel on a public roadway. An officer can often see the driver, passengers, occupant behavior, and activity occurring inside the vehicle. A Flock camera captures none of that information.
The law is also clear regarding the expectation of privacy for vehicles traveling on public roadways. Courts have consistently recognized that there is no reasonable expectation of privacy in a vehicle's exterior or license plate when it is plainly visible in public. More importantly, Washington law strictly limits how this technology may be used.
Furthermore, Kelso Police officers may only search stored Flock data for legitimate law enforcement purposes involving reported felony or gross misdemeanor investigations or other uses specifically authorized by law. Every search is documented and unauthorized access is prohibited. We maintain written policies, internal auditing procedures, and accountability measures to ensure compliance with both state law and department policy. We are also prohibited from sharing information with agencies that are not legally authorized to receive it and the information cannot be released to the public or to private individuals.
I understand that some members of our community will continue to have concerns about the use of this technology. I respect those concerns and welcome thoughtful discussion. At the same time, I encourage everyone to evaluate this program based on accurate information and measurable results rather than misconceptions.
If this technology helps us recover an abducted child, safely locate a missing elder suffering from dementia, identify a vehicle involved in a violent crime, recover a stolen vehicle or apprehend a dangerous offender before additional victims are harmed, then it has served an important public safety purpose.
I ask our community to give us the opportunity to demonstrate the value of this system while we continue to evaluate its effectiveness. Our commitment is to use this technology responsibly, lawfully, transparently, and only in ways that enhance the safety of the people we are sworn to protect.
I remain available to speak with anyone who would like to discuss this program further. I welcome respectful dialogue and believe that open communication is essential to maintaining the trust of our community, even when we may not agree.
Rich Fletcher
Chief of Police
