Hawaii Labor Union Voices Concerns Over Flock Camera Surveillance

HONOLULU (Hawaii News Now) – The Hawaii Government Employees Association (HGEA), the state’s largest labor union, has raised alarms about privacy and accountability issues linked to the state’s implementation of Flock surveillance cameras. While advocates for automated license plate recognition (ALPR) technology argue it can enhance public safety and assist in investigations, critics are urging for regulations and protections around government surveillance practices.

HGEA is advocating for comprehensive evaluation by the Hawaii County Council and state legislators concerning the Hawaii Department of Law Enforcement’s (DLE) recent initiative to install approximately 400 cameras throughout the islands. Executive Director Randy Perreira acknowledged the importance of safety but stressed that public safety should not come at the expense of individual privacy, noting significant concerns about the proposed use of Flock license plate readers.