The Mayor Who Said 'No' When Flock Came to Town

Norman, a small town located outside the Oklahoma City metro area, has consistently refused Flock's surveillance technology, despite multiple presentations from the company. The mayor of Norman, Stephen Tyler Holman, stated that the city rejected Flock's pitch two times in the past three years due to concerns over privacy, data security, and the purpose of the cameras.

Flock's main selling points were crime prevention and assisting law enforcement in solving crimes, but Holman and other Norman leaders had reservations about the data storage and accessibility. After all nine city council members declined to adopt Flock's technology, other cities across the country have followed suit, canceling Flock contracts in large numbers.

Despite Norman's efforts to remain Flock-free, county leaders approved the installation of 20 cameras for use by the Cleveland County Sheriff's Office. Norman's political landscape is complex, with a mix of Democrats, Republicans, and independent voters. The mayor believes that citizens in Norman are more engaged in local politics and have a strong anti-Flock message.