A New Mexico man reportedly removed several Flock Safety cameras in Bernalillo County and later

Our Take

Credit to the flockblocked channel for surfacing this one. Whatever you think of the method, the message is loud: some residents have had enough of unannounced, always-on license plate readers quietly logging their movements without a vote, a hearing, or a real conversation with the community. When someone decides the fastest way to be heard is to rip the camera down and drop it on the sheriff's desk, that's not just a prank — it's a data point about how little consent these networks actually have.

Flock's pitch is that these cameras are just tools for solving crime, but the reality on the ground is a dense, growing mesh of surveillance infrastructure that tracks every car, every driver, every day — regardless of suspicion. Bernalillo County is far from alone; this is happening block by block across the country, often with little public input before the poles go up. We track as many of these locations as we can on our map, and we'd bet Bernalillo County has more cameras than most residents realize.

We're not endorsing vandalism, but we understand the frustration behind it — it's what happens when official channels for accountability feel closed off. If you'd rather push back the legal way, through public records requests, city council meetings, and organizing, check out our take-action guide for where to start.