3D-Printed ‘Flock Sock’ Protects Controversial Surveillance Cameras From the Sun
A community member concerned about their local Flock cameras has been using a 3D-printed “Flock sock” design to protect the devices from their toasty environment. The cover isn’t permanent, so applying it is less likely to be considered criminal, but by pure happenstance, it will make the camera much less capable of detecting license plates and unwitting individuals.
Flock cameras have sprung up in a number of American cities, and many local communities don’t like them. Not only do they consider their license plate-tracking to be an invasion of privacy, but the cameras—which made headlines last year for their role in assisting ICE—have been linked with erroneous arrests, and a number of police have been found using them to stalk their former partners.
As a result, some community members have taken to vandalizing their local cameras. But that carries the risk of criminal prosecution if caught. 3D-printing enthusiast SquidInk has proposed a different method of civil disobedience through altruism: protecting the cameras from the dangers of the sun.
A vandalized Flock camera in Houston, TX.
Credit: Houston Chronicle/Hearst Newspapers/Getty Images
The Flock Sock is freely available on MakerWorld and involves a plastic shield that can be conveniently hooked over the Flock camera, covering it from any of the sun’s rays. It is easily attached using an attached pole apparatus, which can then be removed, leaving the cover in place.
As the MakerWorld listing describes, it’s “rapidly deployable,” safe, and 100% not permanent. That’s key, because it means concerned community members aren’t damaging or modifying the camera in a way likely to be considered criminal. They’re just making sure it’s safe and secure.
Recommended print materials include ABS/ASA, which is ideal for outdoor use with its heat resistance. However, if the printer doesn’t work with that, PLA is an equally viable material, though it does carry the risk of melting in the heat, which can adhere it to the camera in the worst cases.
And obviously, that would be terrible.
The developer says they’re working on new Flock Sock designs for other Flock and similar outdoor camera systems that may need additional protection.
ExtremeTech doesn’t encourage modifying Flock cameras, but it does encourage concerned citizens to make their opinions known in whatever safe and legal manner you see fit.
