Granite Falls PD investigating Flock camera destruction

Published 11:32 am Thursday, October 22, 2026

EVERETT — A Flock Safety camera was destroyed in Granite Falls on Tuesday evening, the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office confirmed in an email to The Daily Herald on Wednesday.

The camera was destroyed at 8:20 p.m. Tuesday, sheriff’s office spokesperson Courtney O’Keefe said. The camera was located at the intersection of Quarry Road and Mountain Loop Highway.

The Granite Falls Police Department is currently investigating. No suspects were in custody Tuesday morning, and it remains an active investigation.

Parts and pieces of the camera are being recovered for evidence, O’Keefe said.

Granite Falls has seven Flock cameras, according to its online transparency portal. Flock cameras are a type of automated license plate reader that uses artificial intelligence to analyze vehicle footage, allowing police officers to search for a vehicle by license plate or vehicle characteristics — such as a car’s make, model or color. Many law enforcement agencies have implemented the technology as an investigative tool to assist with solving crimes, including vehicle theft.

The city of Granite Falls did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Agencies across the country have seen their cameras vandalized in recent months as concern over the technology grows.

Since December 2025, Lynnwood, Mountlake Terrace and Edmonds have canceled their contracts with Flock Safety following reports of federal immigration enforcement accessing local networks. A recent Washington Post investigation found that at least 50 law enforcement officers have been accused of misusing the Flock system, with many cases involving surveilling a romantic partner.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

Jenna Peterson: 425-339-3486; jenna.peterson@heraldnet.com; X: @jennarpetersonn.