Jacob Burnett says Flock-style cameras should be done away with, with warrants required if they stay
Jacob BurnettIndependent write-in candidate for governor of Idaho, in an emailed statement
Jacob Burnett, an independent write-in candidate for governor of Idaho, told Dispute Index by email that license plate camera systems such as Flock's should be done away with, especially for predictive crime analytics. If the systems are used, he said, access should require a warrant and data should be stored on the cameras rather than viewable remotely.
“The systems themselves can be modified to prevent nearly all abuse and be made more secure by requiring warrants for access or follow through on any data the systems collect and have all data stored on the hardware itself preventing viewing from remote locations, requiring strict login credentials and a connecting warrant number to access. These are common sense changes that if the systems are to be used I feel could correct a lot of abuse or privacy concerns but I also feel the systems should be done away with overall, especially in the realm of predictive crime analytics.”
Emailed statement
Read the full email
I apologize for the delay in my response. I have a lot of issues with flock and public surveillance in general, I have made a statement about this previously on my campaigns Facebook page linked here; https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1FfSFY2kvS/ I'll expand further by saying the warrantless spying of citizens is something that is highly problematic to put it lightly and something I feel to be unconstitutional at the least. The technology is something that has far to many ways it can and has been exploited and abused as well as instances of extreme error in the data it gives. It's a tool that goes against the freedom and independence this country stands for and is an insult to our forefathers. The fact that these systems are being implemented with little to no public discussion or vote is another abuse of power by the representatives in charge of these decisions. The systems themselves can be modified to prevent nearly all abuse and be made more secure by requiring warrants for access or follow through on any data the systems collect and have all data stored on the hardware itself preventing viewing from remote locations, requiring strict login credentials and a connecting warrant number to access. These are common sense changes that if the systems are to be used I feel could correct a lot of abuse or privacy concerns but I also feel the systems should be done away with overall, especially in the realm of predictive crime analytics. I feel real human engagement and interaction between the police and the communities they serve builds bonds and trust that yield much stronger results in crime reduction, case resolution, and overall public safety. If you'd like further comment feel free to reach out Ive been rather busy lately and so I do apologize again for the delayed response but thank you so much for taking the time to reach out and let me voice my stance on this issue. -Jacob Burnett
Where this statement fits
Should Flock-style license-plate surveillance networks exist?
Networked automated license-plate readers record passing vehicles and let agencies search or share travel records across locations. Candidates and officials disagree over whether to prohibit these networks, keep them with legal limits, or defend their use for investigations. This tracker records attributable positions on that choice, including proposals that would affect only public funding or data access.
Source and context
Emailed statement
Emailed statement from Jacob Burnett to Dispute Index on license plate cameras
I apologize for the delay in my response. I have a lot of issues with flock and public surveillance in general, I have made a statement about this previously on my campaigns Facebook page linked here; https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1FfSFY2kvS/ I'll expand further by saying the warrantless spying of citizens is something that is highly problematic to put it lightly and something I feel to be unconstitutional at the least. The technology is something that has far to many ways it can and has been exploited and abused as well as instances of extreme error in the data it gives. It's a tool that goes against the freedom and independence this country stands for and is an insult to our forefathers. The fact that these systems are being implemented with little to no public discussion or vote is another abuse of power by the representatives in charge of these decisions. The systems themselves can be modified to prevent nearly all abuse and be made more secure by requiring warrants for access or follow through on any data the systems collect and have all data stored on the hardware itself preventing viewing from remote locations, requiring strict login credentials and a connecting warrant number to access. These are common sense changes that if the systems are to be used I feel could correct a lot of abuse or privacy concerns but I also feel the systems should be done away with overall, especially in the realm of predictive crime analytics. I feel real human engagement and interaction between the police and the communities they serve builds bonds and trust that yield much stronger results in crime reduction, case resolution, and overall public safety. If you'd like further comment feel free to reach out Ive been rather busy lately and so I do apologize again for the delayed response but thank you so much for taking the time to reach out and let me voice my stance on this issue. -Jacob Burnett
About this source
Jacob Burnett, an independent write-in candidate for governor of Idaho, sent this reply by email to a Dispute Index follow-up of October 26, 2026, which asked whether he supports, opposes or wants changes to Flock-style license plate camera networks. He replied from the address Dispute Index had written to and signed the email with his name. The reply points to an earlier post on his campaign Facebook page, which is the link here; the reply itself is not published there. The text is reproduced as sent, without the greeting and the email app's signature line.
Before the quotation
Dispute Index asked Burnett's campaign on October 7 and again on October 26 whether he supports, opposes or wants changes to Flock-style license plate camera networks. He replied by email on October 30, pointing to an earlier post on his campaign Facebook page. He wrote that warrantless surveillance of citizens is highly problematic and, in his view, unconstitutional, that the technology has been exploited, abused and prone to errors, and that the systems were adopted with little public discussion or vote.
After the quotation
He added that engagement between police and the communities they serve builds trust and does more to reduce crime, resolve cases and protect public safety.
How this statement is classified
The label describes this statement's response within the context above.
Why this label?
The reference point is whether networked license-plate reader systems such as Flock should exist and be used. Burnett says the systems should be done away with overall and calls warrantless surveillance unconstitutional, so we labeled it Condemned. He offers warrant and storage requirements only as changes if the systems are to be used, which does not soften that opposition. On the remedy ladder this is Ban or remove, the strongest step he firmly backs.
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The Dispute Index. "Jacob Burnett says Flock-style cameras should be done away with, with warrants required if they stay". First published: 2026-10-30. Last updated: 2026-10-30. https://disputeindex.com/events/7256-jacob-burnett-an-independent-write-in-candidate-for