Flock keeps ignoring requests to cancel its contracts
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What's this about?
While more cities are canceling their contracts with Flock Safety, just as many are discovering how difficult that can be in some instances. Plymouth, Minnesota's city council voted to terminate its contract with Flock in September, but failed to respond to the city's request. For over a month, the
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A city council meeting room with a large digital clock on the wall, empty except for a stack of unopened letters and a frustrated-looking city clerk staring at a smartphone.
Caption: Sometimes the fastest way to cancel your contract is with a tweet.
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Based on the original story on theverge.com.
Editor's note
It's like trying to kick a habit but the habit keeps slipping you a business card and saying, "Need help someday?" Flock Safety's persistence in hanging onto contracts despite growing concerns is a quirky reminder that breaking up with tech isn't as simple as swiping left.
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Panel 1
(a) What the subject of this story actually is and does: Flock Safety is a company that provides security cameras and surveillance technology to municipalities, helping them monitor and protect public spaces. (b) The ONE real irony or absurdity in the news: The irony lies in the fact that a company dedicated to surveillance and monitoring security is itself being difficult to reach and terminate contracts with. (c) The single funniest observation that becomes the highlight: The highlight is the absurdity of a surveillance company making it hard for cities to cancel contracts, as if they're under surveillance by their own surveillance. ---
Panel 2
*A city council meeting room. A city council member holds a phone to her ear, looking frustrated as she flips through papers. Other council members sit around the table, looking at each other with puzzled expressions.* Council Member (into the phone)
Council Member: Hello, Flock Safety? This is the City of Plymouth. We need to cancel our contract.
Panel 3
*The city council member hangs up the phone and slams her fist on the table, looking exasperated. The other council members look at her with concern.* Council Member (sighs)
Council Member: It’s like they’re monitoring us to make sure we don’t terminate the contract.
Panel 4
*The city council member and the other council members are now gathered around a large screen showing a live feed of a surveillance camera. The camera is pointed at the city hall entrance, and they can see themselves on the screen.* Council Member (deadpan) Other Council Member (laughing) Council Member (smiling) Council Member (shaking her head)
Council Member: Well, if they’re watching us, maybe we should watch them back.
Other Council Member: We can’t even cancel a contract without being watched.
Council Member: Let’s just call it a security measure. We’re protecting ourselves from them.
Council Member: Great. Now we’re in a surveillance arms race with our own security provider.
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