Mountlake Terrace residents continue to resist security cameras amid ICE raids

Mountlake Terrace residents have continued to push back against the city’s plan to install new security cameras.

Residents fear the Flock Safety cameras, approved in a 5-2 vote on June 5, could be used by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to track people, The Everett Herald reported earlier this month.

“When the council voted, five people voted yes and only two voted no, despite what the people of Mountlake Terrace wanted,” Mountlake Terrace resident Laura Wrinkler said during public comment at a city council meeting, according to The Everett Herald. “So, it was clear that the people were ignored.”

Another resident, Sam Doyle, called on the council to take accountability and acknowledge its failure to listen to the community.

“I think amends need to be offered before solutions, and they have not been,” Doyle said, The Everett Herald reported. 

KING 5 investigation reveals DOL feeds ICE private data

A recent KING 5 investigation found the Department of Licensing (DOL) has given ICE, and other Homeland Security departments, access to private driver’s license and vehicle information.

Although Washington law bars local agencies from sharing personal data with federal authorities for deportation, KING 5 found that the DOL reopened accounts with ICE, Border Patrol, and additional Homeland Security departments.

“ICE could obtain DOL license registration for everyone with a Hispanic surname,” Mountlake Terrace resident Dale Jeremiah said at the meeting, according to The Everett Herald. “ICE could then use Flock cameras to track all of their movements.”

Mountlake Terrace resident Audrey Meyer works with the Washington Immigrant and Solidarity Network and suggested parameters for how the city interacts with ICE regarding Flock data.

However, Kristen MacLeod, spokesperson for Flock Safety, told residents at the meeting that Flock only keeps 1% of nationwide data for updating new car models.

The Mountlake Terrace City Council is looking into creating an advisory committee to oversee Flock, reorganizing the Community Policing Advisory Board, or implementing a subcommittee in the Mountlake Terrace Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Commission.

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