RANGE Media
@rangemedia.co
The Press for the People.
Spokane-based, local, worker-owned independent online media. We hold the powerful accountable and empower the people!
Slide into our DMs with hot news tips, or send them anonymously to [email protected]
Spokane-based, local, worker-owned independent online media. We hold the powerful accountable and empower the people!
Slide into our DMs with hot news tips, or send them anonymously to [email protected]
If you’re interested in surveillance tech in WA, the UW Center for Human Rights is a must-follow!
Learn more about UWCHR's research on Flock ALPR surveillance data across Washington state:
jsis.washington.edu/humanrights/...
jsis.washington.edu/humanrights/...
November 27, 2025 at 12:25 AM
If you’re interested in surveillance tech in WA, the UW Center for Human Rights is a must-follow!
We have a map of all the local cameras we’ve been able to confirm through public records requests of contracts and functionality reports of local Flock systems that we’re happy to share a .csv file for. @lpangborn.bsky.social and @merrywanderer.bsky.social also might do a check of the DeFlockme cams
November 26, 2025 at 4:46 PM
We have a map of all the local cameras we’ve been able to confirm through public records requests of contracts and functionality reports of local Flock systems that we’re happy to share a .csv file for. @lpangborn.bsky.social and @merrywanderer.bsky.social also might do a check of the DeFlockme cams
Looking at the DeFlockme map, some of these are redlight and speed cameras that are getting misreported as Flock cameras. Data from these cameras is not available on the Flock network and cannot be searched in the same way. my.spokanecity.org/police/get-h...
Photo-Red & Photo-Speed Traffic Safety Programs
Steps and information to follow if you received a Photo-Red or Photo-Speed Notice of Violation.
my.spokanecity.org
November 26, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Looking at the DeFlockme map, some of these are redlight and speed cameras that are getting misreported as Flock cameras. Data from these cameras is not available on the Flock network and cannot be searched in the same way. my.spokanecity.org/police/get-h...
Members of Spokane Police Department *do* have logins to search the county data, though.
November 26, 2025 at 4:25 PM
Members of Spokane Police Department *do* have logins to search the county data, though.
We are saying that these could be ALPR cameras that aren’t Flock, or cameras owned by private businesses that tie into the county network , but they are not Flock cameras contracted/owned by the city. The city has no Flock contract, no Flock portal and no Flock cameras.
November 26, 2025 at 4:23 PM
We are saying that these could be ALPR cameras that aren’t Flock, or cameras owned by private businesses that tie into the county network , but they are not Flock cameras contracted/owned by the city. The city has no Flock contract, no Flock portal and no Flock cameras.
Our first piece was identifying where all the cameras are in Spokane county, if you’re interested: rangemedia.co/flock-camera...
The State of Surveillance in Spokane – RANGE Media
As officials prepare more Flock cameras to roll out across Spokane County, here’s what you need to know.
rangemedia.co
November 26, 2025 at 3:05 AM
Our first piece was identifying where all the cameras are in Spokane county, if you’re interested: rangemedia.co/flock-camera...
Also, we’re so thankful for the work that has come before us! Huge shoutout to the University of Washington for their initial work and partnering with us ongoing data analysis, @404media.co and @eff.org for nationwide attention to flock and prolific public records requesters like Rose Terse.
November 26, 2025 at 2:25 AM
Also, we’re so thankful for the work that has come before us! Huge shoutout to the University of Washington for their initial work and partnering with us ongoing data analysis, @404media.co and @eff.org for nationwide attention to flock and prolific public records requesters like Rose Terse.
You can support more journalism that equips you to fight back by becoming a RANGE member.
Support Us – RANGE Media
RANGE is a reader-supported publication. You can help us grow by becoming a paid subscriber starting at $10 per month or $100 per year.
rangemedia.co
November 26, 2025 at 2:09 AM
You can support more journalism that equips you to fight back by becoming a RANGE member.
We believe it’s all of our duty to demand the preservation of those freedoms, and that starts by understanding where and precisely how those freedoms are being violated, so we can understand how to fight back.
November 26, 2025 at 2:09 AM
We believe it’s all of our duty to demand the preservation of those freedoms, and that starts by understanding where and precisely how those freedoms are being violated, so we can understand how to fight back.
This is just the second in a series (with more to come) that will show that even in a state where more of our rights are protected, this tech allows anyone with access to circumvent the will of voters and the will of legislators to spy on the private lives of Spokanites.
Watching the watchmen – RANGE Media
Editor's note: A deeply-reported series on the Flock cameras tracking your movements.
rangemedia.co
November 26, 2025 at 2:09 AM
This is just the second in a series (with more to come) that will show that even in a state where more of our rights are protected, this tech allows anyone with access to circumvent the will of voters and the will of legislators to spy on the private lives of Spokanites.
Flock cameras are not regular license plate readers that take photos only when an infraction is suspected. They are always recording the information of everyone that passes it — whether they’re committing a crime or not. It’s that power that led us to spend over five months reporting on Flock.
November 26, 2025 at 2:09 AM
Flock cameras are not regular license plate readers that take photos only when an infraction is suspected. They are always recording the information of everyone that passes it — whether they’re committing a crime or not. It’s that power that led us to spend over five months reporting on Flock.
And in just the first 6 months of 2025, 2,301,239 searches were made on SCSO’s Flock Network. Just 110,069, or 4.8%, of those searches were made by local law enforcement.
November 26, 2025 at 2:09 AM
And in just the first 6 months of 2025, 2,301,239 searches were made on SCSO’s Flock Network. Just 110,069, or 4.8%, of those searches were made by local law enforcement.
Now, after waiting five months for our records request to be filled, we know they were. Though WA law prohibits this kind of compliance with out-of-state agencies who are looking to prosecute abortion seekers, it did not prevent Spokane County’s data from being searched for that reason.
November 26, 2025 at 2:09 AM
Now, after waiting five months for our records request to be filled, we know they were. Though WA law prohibits this kind of compliance with out-of-state agencies who are looking to prosecute abortion seekers, it did not prevent Spokane County’s data from being searched for that reason.
After the news broke about the Texas cop's Washington access, Spokane County Sheriff John Nowels told reporters that he had since ensured our county’s Flock data was “locked down” and didn’t specify if our cameras were searched.
Border Patrol, ICE tapped into Washington police surveillance systems for potential immigration enforcement
Federal law enforcement agencies accessed data collected by some local police and sheriff’s offices automated license plate cameras around Washington, a University of Washington Center for Human Rights report found, sometimes without local agencies’ knowledge.
www.spokesman.com
November 26, 2025 at 2:09 AM
After the news broke about the Texas cop's Washington access, Spokane County Sheriff John Nowels told reporters that he had since ensured our county’s Flock data was “locked down” and didn’t specify if our cameras were searched.
Another quote, I think this one was from Zappone thought I can't double check because I can't play audio outloud in council chambers, talking about council staff cuts and then "rebuild," the office for new council members:
November 25, 2025 at 5:17 AM
Another quote, I think this one was from Zappone thought I can't double check because I can't play audio outloud in council chambers, talking about council staff cuts and then "rebuild," the office for new council members:
Budget passed 5-2 and we're at the end of the legislative meeting! However, there's still public comment and 7 people are signed up. Don't know if I'll stay tbh
November 25, 2025 at 5:15 AM
Budget passed 5-2 and we're at the end of the legislative meeting! However, there's still public comment and 7 people are signed up. Don't know if I'll stay tbh
Wilkerson said that this process has been rough because the whole council was involved as opposed to just saying yes or no. "Everyone is kinda mad," she said, and that's a good place to be for compromise. She also said the city is driven by people and that means wage costs.
November 25, 2025 at 5:14 AM
Wilkerson said that this process has been rough because the whole council was involved as opposed to just saying yes or no. "Everyone is kinda mad," she said, and that's a good place to be for compromise. She also said the city is driven by people and that means wage costs.
Side note: A screenshot of my transcription of Klitzke's comments from last week's budget meeting that shows she proposed project employees/interns.
November 25, 2025 at 5:13 AM
Side note: A screenshot of my transcription of Klitzke's comments from last week's budget meeting that shows she proposed project employees/interns.
Bingle is against the budget because it includes revenue increases and new taxes, which he was unilaterally against. The state raised taxes, voters approved raising taxes through the bond + levy, the community safety tax was passed last year. Bingle is also stressing that police are understaffed..
November 25, 2025 at 5:12 AM
Bingle is against the budget because it includes revenue increases and new taxes, which he was unilaterally against. The state raised taxes, voters approved raising taxes through the bond + levy, the community safety tax was passed last year. Bingle is also stressing that police are understaffed..
The mayor herself has called her proposal for her own staffing "budget neutral," which means effectively, no cuts.
November 25, 2025 at 5:10 AM
The mayor herself has called her proposal for her own staffing "budget neutral," which means effectively, no cuts.
He says the mayor's office is making cuts by reducing their office (yes, true, but no one's getting laid off. People are getting moved into a different department or retiring, which we said in our piece.)
November 25, 2025 at 5:10 AM
He says the mayor's office is making cuts by reducing their office (yes, true, but no one's getting laid off. People are getting moved into a different department or retiring, which we said in our piece.)
Zappone says the budget shows collaboration and is the hardest one he's been apart of. He wishes conversations started earlier in the council office on how to restructure. He also pointed out the downtown in Canadian tourism as impacting the sales tax collected.
November 25, 2025 at 5:09 AM
Zappone says the budget shows collaboration and is the hardest one he's been apart of. He wishes conversations started earlier in the council office on how to restructure. He also pointed out the downtown in Canadian tourism as impacting the sales tax collected.
Lambdin wants to see them really look at workforce development to fill gaps in police and fire departments so they don't have to keep spending unplanned money on overtime. (Fire overtime was way higher than projected this year due to understaffing)
November 25, 2025 at 5:08 AM
Lambdin wants to see them really look at workforce development to fill gaps in police and fire departments so they don't have to keep spending unplanned money on overtime. (Fire overtime was way higher than projected this year due to understaffing)
Lambdin said this budget doesn't get us out of the woods and there's a very serious need for a triage next year with options that wouldn't have "been appropriate" for the mid biennium budget modifications.
November 25, 2025 at 5:06 AM
Lambdin said this budget doesn't get us out of the woods and there's a very serious need for a triage next year with options that wouldn't have "been appropriate" for the mid biennium budget modifications.