Six Flock Safety cameras, designed to read license plates, have been installed in Yosemite National Park, according to the online tool DeFlock.org. The move comes as the technology faces increased scrutiny nationwide, with some vigilantes removing the devices and one police department suspending its contract with the company.
The cameras are situated at key locations within the park, including along Wawona Road near the Highway 41 entrance and the Glacier Point Road turnoff, on El Portal Road near the Highway 140 entrance, and near the El Capitan Picnic Area and Yosemite Valley Chapel.
Park officials stated that the cameras are intended for traffic management, not surveillance, and aim to provide better information to visitors about wait times. Yosemite has reportedly received innovation funding from the National Park Foundation to develop a park-wide system that integrates real-time data on traffic, parking, and road conditions. This system is expected to incorporate smart cameras and sensors to monitor traffic flow and parking availability.
Despite official assurances, the installation has sparked concerns about mass surveillance among some park visitors and locals. Similar automated license plate readers from Flock Safety are widely deployed across the country, with over 117,000 units installed nationwide and more than 16,000 in California alone, according to DeFlock.org.
In California, the Flock cameras have faced opposition. In Monterey County, a man was arrested last month for allegedly vandalizing three Flock cameras. Sheriff Tina Nieto commented that removing such systems hinders investigations and the ability to solve crimes.
Flock Safety cameras are also prevalent in other states, with Florida, Georgia, and Illinois operating thousands of units. The controversy highlights a growing tension between the use of surveillance technology for public safety and traffic control and concerns over privacy and data security.