This isn’t the only story about people vandalizing the controversial Flock cameras, and it won’t be the last. A driver in California was arrested for intentionally destroying several Flock cameras by ramming them with his black pickup truck. The irony is that he was caught only because there were other surveillance cameras set up nearby. However, while the police have booked the man and showed their strong support for these automated license plate readers, many people are rooting for the driver instead.
Commenters on Facebook are calling the driver a “hero”
Police arrested 40-year-old Marcus Bee from Pismo Beach, California, for knocking out at least three Flock cameras with what looks to be a Toyota Tacoma, according to a July 28 post by the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office on its official Facebook page.
Detectives say that Bee traveled to Monterey County and caused thousands of dollars to public safety infrastructure. Evidence from other surveillance cameras, along with other leads, allowed them to identify Bee as the culprit. He was charged with a count of felony vandalism and booked into the Monterey County Jail with his bail set at $30,000.
The press release from the sheriff’s office reminds readers that these ALPR cameras are “used by law enforcement agencies to solve crimes.”
“This arrest sends a clear message that anyone who intentionally damages public safety equipment will be identified, arrested, and held accountable,” said Sheriff Tina Nieto. “Any attempts to disable these systems will not prevent us from doing our job. In this case, the suspect’s own actions were captured on surveillance cameras, leading directly to his arrest. We will continue to aggressively investigate these crimes and seek prosecution against anyone who targets public safety infrastructure.”
Despite the strong statement, many commenters on the post support Bee. Some are providing cover for the driver, with one saying, “Couldn’t have been him. Bro was all the way up here in Idaho with me, fishing.” Another wrote, “Tacomas are notoriously known for swerving off the road. I’m saying my man is not guilty, just a weird coincidence.”
Many others have called Bee a hero, showing how many people are against the controversial Flock cameras and the growing surveillance state. One posted, “Not all heroes wear capes, some of them wear jeans and a collared shirt.” Another is seeking a way to support him financially: “Hero! He needs a gofundme for his bail!”
