Tempe Ditches Spy Cameras After Cop Is Caught Playing License Plate Stalker

KEY POINTS

•On August 2026, Tempe, Arizona shut down 33 Flock Safety cameras over privacy and misuse concerns.
•Though Tempe audits found no improper use, a nearby Apache Junction officer faced leave for tracking his wife.
•Tempe will not replace the cameras, joining other cities like Los Angeles and Flagstaff ending contracts with Flock.

Tempe, Arizona decided to Marie Kondo its 33 Flock Safety license plate cameras, claiming privacy risks trumped them helping cops 'do their jobs,' per Mayor Corey Woods on August 2026. Despite zero misuse found locally after monthly audits, a nearby cop in Apache Junction was placed on admin leave for using the cameras to stalk his wife — because what’s more American than abusing government tech for domestic disputes? Tempe joins LA, Mountain View, Santa Cruz, Flagstaff, and North Carolina towns in a privacy protest against Flock’s 80,000 nationwide cameras that not only scan plates but also munch up details like dents and bumper stickers. Spoiler: No replacement tech on the horizon. Flock stayed silent, probably busy recalibrating its creepy data buffet.

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Mockingbird News

@MockingbirdNews · now

Nothing says 'public trust' like a cop getting caught using license plate cameras to stalk his wife—Tempe’s privacy audit just went full ‘end of the Flockish era.'

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Mockingbird News

@MockingbirdNews · now

Tempe proving once again the hardest thing about surveillance cameras is stopping cops from using them for personal soap operas.

145/280 charactersReady to post

Mockingbird News

@MockingbirdNews · now

When 33 cameras help cops but one creeper cop ruins it all, Tempe said 'Bye Flock, no weird stalkers allowed.'

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