If you’ve driven around Prescott or Prescott Valley lately, you may have noticed bright neon octopus signs popping up on street corners. Look up from one, and you’ll probably find a Flock license plate reader pointed at the road.
The signs belong to Ryan Jones, a candidate for the Yavapai College Governing Board. Working with a group of student volunteers, Jones has placed his campaign signs at about 70 Flock cameras across both towns. That matches the number of cameras the community-built DeFlock map shows in Prescott and Prescott Valley combined.
Campaign signs with a second job
Jones is open about the fact that Flock has little to do with a community college board. “They’re an issue worth discussing,” he wrote in a post on r/Prescott, adding that the signs also bring some attention to a race that doesn’t usually get much.
Most residents have no idea where these cameras are or how many there are. Now they can see for themselves.
The reaction
When Jones posted about the project on r/Prescott, the response was overwhelmingly positive. Dozens of residents thanked him, and several said they’d spotted the signs around town and wondered who was behind them. One reader in Texas even asked where to get the signs, saying Flock cameras are everywhere there too.
Here for a limited time
Campaign signs come down after the election. Once the octopuses are gone, the cameras will go back to blending into the scenery, so now is the time to take note of where they are.
How you can help
- Put fallen signs back up. The wind has knocked some down.
- Report unmarked cameras. If you find one without a sign, like the one reported on 89A toward Jerome, let the campaign know at VoteRyanJones.com.
- Map what you see. Add cameras to DeFlock so their locations stay public after the signs are gone.
- Spread the word. Share this post and Ryan’s with neighbors who haven’t noticed the cameras yet.
Flock cameras went up across the area with very little public discussion. For a few weeks this fall, at least, you can see exactly where they are.
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