Out-of-state agencies used Lynnwood license plate cameras for immigration searches, UW study finds

Lynnwood's license plate reader system was misused by out-of-state law enforcement for immigration-related searches, contradicting state law and promises from local police. Police Chief Cole Langdon reported a spike in unauthorized searches shortly after the cameras became operational on June 29. Investigations revealed that the Lynnwood Police Department (LPD) did not authorize these searches, and Flock, the camera provider, inadvertently enrolled LPD in a pilot program allowing data sharing with over 6,000 agencies. By July 9, LPD restricted access to its data and is negotiating memorandums of understanding with nearby agencies to clarify best practices and prevent future misuse. A study from the University of Washington Center for Human Rights revealed that several searches from agencies in Florida and Pennsylvania specifically targeted immigration issues.

The LPD had assured the City Council that the cameras would only be used for crime-related investigations and not for immigration enforcement. Flock acknowledged providing inaccurate information regarding agency access and is taking steps to separate federal agencies from general access. Between June 29 and August 24, Lynnwood’s 24 cameras were searched over 100,000 times, with more than 40,000 searches from external agencies.