Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Opponents of Huntington’s Flock Safety camera contracts spent the weekend collecting signatures across all nine city council districts, seeking to put a proposed ban on the technology before voters.
The Huntington Community Action Group’s “Get the Flock Out!” campaign is gathering signatures for a ballot initiative that would prohibit third-party mass-surveillance systems in the city. Organizers say the proposed ordinance would require Huntington to cancel its Flock contract and prevent similar systems from being installed.
The push follows Huntington City Council’s July vote approving the Flock contracts after a meeting that drew outspoken opposition from residents.
“It feels like opening a door that we don’t need to open,” Huntington Community Action Group community organizer Katie Norman said.
Flock’s system uses automated license plate reader cameras. Supporters of the technology, including city leaders, have pointed to potential public-safety uses, such as helping law enforcement locate vehicles connected to investigations.
But people signing the petition Saturday said they remain concerned about privacy and the possibility that the system could be misused.
“Just too many loose ends here,” Huntington resident P.C. Pancake said. “I can understand that some people want to see this, but under the current setup, I don’t think we can trust it.”
Mayor Patrick Farrell previously described opponents of the contracts as a “vocal minority” compared with a “silent majority,” according to organizers. They argue a public vote would give residents a direct answer to that debate.
Kyle Vass with Huntington Community Action Group said the petition effort is meant to give residents a path outside the council chamber.
“They don’t trust the city council,” Vass said. “They see what happens when we show up by the dozens and ask them to do something and then they just do the exact opposite thing.”
Under Huntington’s city charter, organizers need valid signatures equal to at least 10% of voters in the last municipal election before the petition can move forward. The group is aiming for 4,000 signatures and said it had collected about 1,500 by Saturday afternoon.
If the petition is certified, organizers say the proposed ordinance would go before Huntington voters in a special election.
City officials are also considering guardrails for how Flock cameras could be used. However, campaign supporters said restrictions would not go far enough.
“I don’t think that we need something like that, even if nobody’s misusing it now,” Norman said. “It’s going to outlast the people who are putting it in, and it’s a tool that has a lot of risk for abuse.”
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Opponents of Huntington’s Flock Safety camera contracts spent the weekend collecting signatures across all nine city council districts, seeking to put a proposed ban on the technology before voters.
The Huntington Community Action Group’s “Get the Flock Out!” campaign is gathering signatures for a ballot initiative that would prohibit third-party mass-surveillance systems in the city. Organizers say the proposed ordinance would require Huntington to cancel its Flock contract and prevent similar systems from being installed.
The push follows Huntington City Council’s July vote approving the Flock contracts after a meeting that drew outspoken opposition from residents.
“It feels like opening a door that we don’t need to open,” Huntington Community Action Group community organizer Katie Norman said.
Flock’s system uses automated license plate reader cameras. Supporters of the technology, including city leaders, have pointed to potential public-safety uses, such as helping law enforcement locate vehicles connected to investigations.
But people signing the petition Saturday said they remain concerned about privacy and the possibility that the system could be misused.
“Just too many loose ends here,” Huntington resident P.C. Pancake said. “I can understand that some people want to see this, but under the current setup, I don’t think we can trust it.”
Mayor Patrick Farrell previously described opponents of the contracts as a “vocal minority” compared with a “silent majority,” according to organizers. They argue a public vote would give residents a direct answer to that debate.
Kyle Vass with Huntington Community Action Group said the petition effort is meant to give residents a path outside the council chamber.
“They don’t trust the city council,” Vass said. “They see what happens when we show up by the dozens and ask them to do something and then they just do the exact opposite thing.”
Under Huntington’s city charter, organizers need valid signatures equal to at least 10% of voters in the last municipal election before the petition can move forward. The group is aiming for 4,000 signatures and said it had collected about 1,500 by Saturday afternoon.
If the petition is certified, organizers say the proposed ordinance would go before Huntington voters in a special election.
City officials are also considering guardrails for how Flock cameras could be used. However, campaign supporters said restrictions would not go far enough.
“I don’t think that we need something like that, even if nobody’s misusing it now,” Norman said. “It’s going to outlast the people who are putting it in, and it’s a tool that has a lot of risk for abuse.”
_________________________________________
Follow WCHS on social media:
Facebook: facebook.com/eyewitnessnewscharleston
Twitter: twitter.com/wchs8fox11
Instagram: instagram.com/wchs8fox11
For the latest local and national news, visit our website: wchstv.com
Sign up for our newsletter: wchstv.com/sign-up
