Washington Township has had eyes on it recently, just like its residents when they go past the township’s Flock cameras.
Back in September and early October, NJ.com released two stories about Washington Township’s purchase and use of Flock cameras, which has sparked controversy in town and the state.
Finn McGinn, founder of www.WhoAreThesePeople.org and anti-Flock camera activist, at the DeFlock South Jersey protest on October 10.
Flock LPR cameras, as defined by their developer Flock Safety, are cameras that “capture vehicle events, including license plates, vehicle characteristics, and the time and location a vehicle passed a camera. That information helps agencies identify vehicles relevant to an investigation using Flock searches, alerts, and approved data sources they choose to enable, in accordance with their policies, local laws, and community values.”
Additionally, the website states that “Flock connects incident detection, evidence search, and response tools in one platform. Depending on the products a customer uses, Flock can help teams identify relevant vehicles, review video footage, receive alerts, and build a clearer picture of an incident.”
Many townships and police departments across the state and country have opted to purchase Flock cameras in recent years as a means to improve public safety.
However, there are many people who see the decision to utilize multiple Flock surveillance cameras in town as an invasion of privacy and an unfit way to use the township and taxpayer’s money.
There is a national movement, known as DeFlock, that is dedicated to raising awareness, getting rid of current cameras and limiting the introduction of more cameras. The DeFlock South Jersey chapter has been active in Washington Township and surrounding areas with cameras, such as Glassboro and Lawnside.
Additionally, there is controversy over how the cameras were purchased. Through the research of local advocacy organizations, NJ.com and information available in public records, it was found that Washington Township reported to the state it used $170,446.70 of opioid settlement money for drug education and recovery resouorces in 2024 and 2025, however, that money was instead used to purchase 15 Flock cameras and two 2024 Chevrolet Tahoe SUVs for its police department.
The misuse of funds has sparked additional controversy amongst residents on varying sides, and many have been vocal about their stances on social media, in Facebook groups, in council meetings and even on the streets.
On October 10, DeFlock South Jersey hosted a Day of Action protest against mass surveillance across Washington Township, Lawnside and Ventnor City. The Saturday afternoon protest in Washington Township took place on the corner of Fries Mill and Hurffville-Crosskeys roads, across the street from Verchio’s.
Protesters held handmade signs and waved them at the corner. Some people chanted, some people wore googly-eye glasses to protect their identity. One person even dressed up in a handmade Flock camera costume. Some cars honked in support, others honked and yelled out the window in opposition.
Protestors at the corner of Fries Mill and Hurffville-Crosskeys roads during the DeFlock South Jersey protest on October 10.
“Flock cameras, mass surveillance — it’s something that is a bipartisan issue where people on both sides are against it, and you see the cameras popping up all over the place,” Finn McGinn, the founder of political information website www.WhoAreThesePeople.org, said at the Washington Township protest.
“I don’t live in Washington Township, but I drive through all the time, and every time I drive by a camera, I feel uncomfortable that people are tracking my location, so yeah,” he continued. “This seems to be an issue that brings a lot of people together, that a lot of people can agree on. I also care about a lot of issues that are very divisive, but at least with this one, there’s a lot more support against Flock cameras than there are for them from both sides of the (political spectrum).”
McGinn began doing research and reporting on the topic in Washington Township before it was released in NJ.com. He continues to use his platform to research, speak at council meetings and share his findings with others online.
He said the goal of his platform and DeFlock South Jersey is to no longer install any more Flock cameras or its software in towns, and, hopefully, eventually getting cameras taken down. Other protestors echoed this message.
“The biggest thing for me was the misappropriation of our tax dollars that we were being told. I have a child in elementary school. We were being told that this money was going towards drug programs and going towards families. I mean, these are serious, serious issues that I think about (as a taxpayer and someone with a child in town),” said protestor Camillia Travia. “And instead, that money went to flock cameras, and those flock cameras have not lowered the number of opium-related deaths. They have not lowered the number, the amount of drugs that are coming into this town. So, you can’t even make the argument that the flock cameras have helped the community, because they haven’t.”
The Washington Township Police Department and Washington Township council continue to speak out about the town’s intentions and decisions in council meetings and online, as well as share drug and recovery-related programming online with the community.
More information on Washington Township’s Flock cameras controversy will continue to be reported on.
A Flock camera in Washington Township.
