Representative Rashida Tlaib of Michigan has introduced the "Get the Flock Out of Our Communities Act" to prohibit federal funding for automated mass surveillance technologies. The bill targets tools such as facial recognition and automatic license plate readers, mandating the removal of existing federally funded equipment within 30 days.
The 30-day countdown for dismantling surveillance hardware
The "Get the Flock Out of Our Communities Act" imposes strict timelines for the dismantling of existing surveillance infrastructure. According to the report, any systems purchased with federal funds would be required to be removed within 30 days of the bill's enactment. furthermore, any prohibited surveillance data would need to be permanently deleted within a seven-day window.
This aggressive timeline aims to prevent the long-term retention of sensitive information. As Tlaib noted during a press conference, the concern is that once this infrastructure is in place, it remains regardless of changes in local or national leadership. The legislation seeks to ensure that data obtained in violation of these new rules cannot be used in any court or administrative proceeding .
Tying Byrne and COPS grants to privacy compliance
Federal grants, specifically the Byrne and Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) programs, would serve as the primary enforcement mechanism for this legislation . the bill requires applicants for these grants to certify that neither they nor their local law enforcement agencies maintain, access, or operate automated mass-surveillance technology.
The Department of Justice provides Byrne grants to assist state and local governments with issues ranging from violnt crime to drug offenses. Similarly, COPS grants are intended to increase officer presence and advance community policing. By conditioning these funds on the absence of mass surveillance, the bill uses the financial lifeblood of local departments to enforce privacy standards.
The scrutiny facing Flock Safety and the 50-city deactivation trend
Flock Safety, a prominent provider of automated license plate readers, is at the center of the debate surrounding this legislation. While the company maintains that its technology is essential for recovering stolen vehicles and accelerating investigations, the report highlights growing concerns regarding data misuse and privacy invasion.
The controversy is underscored by a trend of local governments pulling back from the technology.. As Newsweek reported,Politico noted that more than 50 cities and counties had canceled or deactivated automated license plate-recognition cameras in 2026. This shift follows intensifying reports of law enforcement officers using such technology to monitor individuals for personal reasons rather than official investigative purposes.
The House Judiciary Committee's looming decision
The legislation has been referred to the House committees on Oversight and Government Reform and the Judiciary. The bill was introduced by Tlaib alongside a coalition of Representatives including Sylvia Garcia, Summer Lee, Ilhan Omar, Delia Ramirez, Nydia Velázquez, and Bonnie Watson Coleman.
Several critical questions remain regarding the bill's viability and impact. it is currently unknown whether the House Judiciary Committee will prioritize the priavcy protections championed by the bill's co-sponsors or the crime-fighting arguments made by policing advocates. Additionally, the report does not clarify how the rapid 30-day removal mandate would be enforced or how it might affect the operational capacity of agencies that rely on these tools for immediate criminal investigations.
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