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Flock cameras have been a major point of disagreement in Snohomish County, as community leaders and the courts weigh their value for public safety against privacy concerns.

Since late last year, several cities have hit pause on their automatic license plate reader systems after residents pushed back.

And after judges ruled the data was subject to public records law.

Now, with the state's first rules on the books for this technology, those cities are weighing whether to flip the switch back on.

Automatic license plate readers scan passing vehicles, giving officers the ability to search by license plate or physical characteristics of the car.

Flock, a main provider in Snohomish County, can run those searches statewide or even nationwide.

Lynnwood resident and privacy advocate Quinn Van Order called the technology warrantless mass surveillance.

If we have to sacrifice all of our privacy to make law enforcement's job a little easier, I don't only think that represents what American values are, or at very least should be.

There is a problem with discriminatory policing practices and this technology would amplify that.

In March, the legislature passed a law regulating how this technology can be used, limiting how long the data can be kept and shielding it from public records requests.

In a statement to Cascade PBS, a spokesperson for the City of Everett praised the new bill, noting it protects against stalking by exempting the data from public disclosure.

Stanwood Police Chief Glenn DeWitt tells Cascade PBS the city plans to turn its cameras back on as soon as Governor Ferguson signs the bill, which would take effect immediately.

Officials in Sedar-Wolley say they're still reviewing the law.

Lynnwood and Mountlake Terrace, had already terminated their contracts with Flock before the bill passed.

I'm Paris Jackson, thank you for watching The Newsfeed, your destination for non-profit Northwest News.

Go to CascadePBS.org for more.