The Force Is Strong in This One: Darth Vader Makes the Case for Controversial Flock Cameras

Controversial Flock surveillance cameras — the license plate readers which have sparked vandalism and protest across the country — got a show of support from a high profile but perhaps dubious voice: Darth Vader.

Someone dressed up as the iconic Star Wars villain spoke at a San Diego City Council meeting this week about the Flock cams, which have made headlines for months as people protest the tech — and various law enforcement officers have been accused of using it to illicitly track people.

In the character’s classic, heavy breathing, the person took the mic as a handful of people in the audience looked on:

The emperor is a fan of Flock, and we must continue utilizing flock technologies so that we can follow and surveil the rebel scum as they move from playground to playground, from playground to pool, from pool to gymnasium.

Because we all know that the flock cameras are not only following the license plate readers, they are following children.

They are following children in parks and gymnasiums. And we need this. I need this so I can stalk my ex-girlfriend.

Cops have defended the use of the license plate readers as important crime fighting tech, but municipalities across the country have begun rethinking their use and are reportedly canceling contracts for the devices.

Some have taken matters into their own hands, attacking the tech or trying to block it, including Brady O’Rourke of Crystal, Minnesota, who told NPR why he chooses to block the local Flock cam using a sign taped to a roof rake.

“I don’t want to pay to be surveilled,” O’Rourke says. “My tax dollars are funding cameras at the end of my block. I don’t want to live like that. I don’t think anybody should have to live like that.”

Watch above via CNN.

New: The Mediaite One-Sheet "Newsletter of Newsletters"
Your daily summary and analysis of what the many, many media newsletters are saying and reporting. Subscribe now!