Flock Cameras

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There will be a Town Council Study Session on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, at 4:00 PM, at Gilbert Town Hall regarding Gilbert’s use of Flock/Axon Cameras. It will also be streamed on Gilbert's YouTube Channel.

I recently received a detailed briefing from Gilbert Police and based on the information that I have received thus far, I cannot support the continued use of Flock ALPR's in Gilbert, and I support removing all Flock cameras. While I don't assume office until 1/5/27, I will support actions to remove these cameras.

While I believe that new technology should always be evaluated for use as a police force multiplier, the efforts required to prevent system abuse are too significant when compared to the value offered to our community.

The Axon Fleet 3 cameras are used only in patrol vehicles and are connected to the flashing lights. I am scheduled to have another briefing with the Gilbert Chief of Police to discuss the specific policies pertaining to the use of Axon 3 cameras.

Below is an actual email from July 1, 2026, that discussses my oposition to Flock Cameras:

From: Bill Spence for Gilbert Town Council <Bill@VoteSpence.com>
Subject: Re: Demand a Public Stance on Flock/ELSAG Surveillance Before Election Day
Date: July 1, 2026 at 10:54:24 AM MST
To: John xxxxxxxxx <xxxxxxx@gmail.com>

Good morning John!

Thank you so much for asking these questions. This has been a significant concern for me and you brought up some more issues of which I wasn’t aware. I’ll tell you everything that I know and my thoughts. I had a nearly identical set of questions asked about this so I hope you don’t mind me recycling some of the information.

I was first made aware of the Flock camera contract in 2024 worth $369,000 and then again in June 2025 when this council allocated an additional $629,905 for the 5 year contract. Just at face value, I WOULD NOT have voted in favor of either one of these contracts. I think I could have gotten several other councilmembers to vote along with me. Having viewed the presentations and facts given, I did not feel that there was enough detail provided to ensure protection of privacy and to prevent system abuse.

This is where my additional concerns lead me to believe that a moratorium on Flock cameras is warranted.

I was pointed to a website called www.deflock.org and saw where cameras were being placed. It’s interesting to say the least.

I was initially alarmed the every Home Depot and Lowes had 5-6 cameras in their parking lots. I felt that this was inappropriate for the town to do. However, I have since discovered that these particular camera are contracted directly between these stores and Flock. The next question that I have in this regard is - Where does Flock/Home Depot/Lowes send their data? I have not been able to get an answer thus far.

I was also alarmed to see that Flock cameras were concentrated around certain commercial areas. I don’t understand the rational for the town placing cameras in these areas. They also put cameras in parking areas in downtown Gilbert. Again, I question the justification for those specific locations. It feels like these cameras would be used to track movements of citizens and that the data would be used as "probable cause" to support a traffic stop and charges. It is dangerously close to entrapment and violations of the 4th Amendment.

I have some specific information that really concerns me. I obtained text messages for Gilbert Police Chief Michale Soelberg that show that he is directly receiving Flock Alerts on his phone. For the life of me I cannot understand why the Chief of Police is personally receiving Flock Alert unless he has a specific interest in the subject being tracked. This feels like a potential abuse of the system by Chief Soelberg.

This brings up my next major concern. I have not been able to obtain ANY information regarding the procedures or policies for use of the Flock camera data. What process is in place to prevent an officer from tracking someone just because they want to? The lack of policy alone is the primary reason that I would demand a moratorium on the use of these cameras. I am still researching the ELSAG update to which you are referring. I feel that the update would violate the contract terms and I would demand that the Town cancel the Flock contacts immediately.

I support the proper use of technology to help protect our community and to ensure for the safety of our officers, however, I cannot support the use of Flock and other camera surveillance without strict controls that are subject to aggressive oversight. I want to go one step further and ask for state wide legislation that addresses these concerns.

To answer your questions directly:

Will you commit to pausing all ALPR and surveillance funding until:
 1. A full public audit of Flock usage and access logs is completed. YES
 2. A warrant requirement is established for all ALPR data queries. YES
 3. The ELSAG Signal Trace update is independently reviewed before any activation. YES

I am also willing to champion these efforts on behalf of our town to ensure that these protections are considered at the state level.

Thank you so much for your questions. Let me know if you have any additional questions. Have a safe and wonderful 4th of July!

Best regards,
Bill Spence
bill@VoteSpence.com