Rep. Pat Harrigan Critiques Surveillance State Created by Flock Safety

WASHINGTON — Republican Representative Pat Harrigan from North Carolina has expressed strong opposition to the extensive surveillance mechanisms of Flock Safety and is suggesting that Congress finds ways to limit this increasingly contentious technology.

A wide-ranging, bipartisan group of lawmakers, along with citizens and local officials, claim that Flock’s automated license plate readers (ALPRs) infringe on civil liberties by tracking individuals without proper warrants. In an interview, Harrigan articulated his concerns, stating that these devices contribute to a “surveillance state.” He drew comparisons to surveillance practices during the Bush administration, highlighting the overreach that he believes is mirrored in Flock’s operations.

“Get the Flock out,” declared the freshman lawmaker, an Army Special Forces veteran, when asked about his position on the network of cameras.

Harrigan has criticized these ALPRs as “far worse” than the automated speed cameras that he’s also opposed—so much so that he introduced a bill in September 2025 aimed at banning those as well. He previously condemned the speed cameras for being more about generating revenue than enhancing safety, suggesting they’re essentially a “tax on the middle class.”

One year after proposing that legislation, he views the expanding influence of Flock Safety as a more significant hurdle. “We need to approach this in a manner similar to Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA),” Harrigan remarked, explaining how this law allows for the surveillance of American citizens without obtaining a warrant, despite being designed primarily to gather intelligence on foreign targets.

This controversial legal section lapsed on June 12, 2023, due to Congress’s inaction on its renewal.

Harrigan emphasized the need for stringent safeguards, akin to those in Section 702, to regulate how information from these surveillance devices is collected and utilized, warning that without such measures, the cameras could infringe on citizens’ rights. He cited a case in his district where a police officer misused Flock systems to spy on an individual, underscoring the potential for abuse.

He noted his opposition to extending Section 702 earlier this year, stating that although he recognizes its role in national security, ongoing surveillance practices on American citizens need reevaluation. “We can’t continue to rubber stamp surveillance programs,” he cautioned.

This situation, Harrigan suggested, is akin to having “702 on steroids,” with surveillance now integrating into local law enforcement across numerous municipalities, raising concerns about potential misuse.

In contrast, former President Donald Trump endorsed these cameras recently, asserting that they assist law enforcement, demonstrating a divide in perspectives on their utility. Yet, Harrigan contends that relying on such technology does not equate to effective policing. “We don’t need to build a surveillance state,” he remarked, advising against sacrificing freedoms in the name of security.