Harper computer science major Troy Dwijanto expressed his concerns with a new tech called Flock cameras. Criticizing Harper’s choice in installing them around campus in a Feb. 26th, 2026, post on the HarperMobile app. 

“Personally, I am disappointed that our campus has Flock cameras,” Dwijanto said in the post. “A private company can deduce rather quickly where you have been, where you are going, how long you were in a location, etc. All while allowing authorities easy access to the camera’s data.”

Dwijanto also posted a link to an article where a Flock camera was used to arrest a woman in Texas for having an abortion out of state.

After catalytic converter thefts in 2023, Harper College implemented Flock’s license plate reader (LPR) cameras as part of its campus safety infrastructure. The installation of the cameras followed the suggestion of Harper Chief of Police John Lawson and the approval of the Harper College Board of Trustees in May 2024.

In the same month, the installation of the cameras was shared with the campus community through the all-student and all-employee newsletter. 

The LPR cameras were installed on the Palatine campus and at the Learning and Career Center (LCC) in Prospect Heights in July 2024. Recently, in March of this year, two more cameras were installed: one at the LCC and one at the Harper Professional Center (HPC) in Schaumburg. 

“The purpose of license plate recognition cameras is to enhance campus safety,” Deputy Chief Mike Gicla of the Harper College Police Department stated. “The devices help prevent crime and support criminal investigations by alerting Harper police if a vehicle associated with a crime or public safety alert enters campus. They are not used to enforce minor traffic violations.”

Lawson shared the kind of information they are receiving from the Flock cameras. 

“We get hits on a car that is pulling in, vehicles that are wanted, known suspects in theft, and sex offenders that come on campus,” Lawson said. “It comes to our phones, and it comes to our computers.”

Privacy groups have criticized Flock’s cameras for their use in immigration enforcement. The American Civil Liberties Union stated that the system is “used by ICE to help carry out the Trump Administration’s abusive removal program.”

Despite the controversy surrounding Flock camera access, Gicla says that Harper Police does not share “with law enforcement agencies outside of Illinois,” in accordance with the Illinois TRUST Act.

Lawson stated that Harper is a public institution. This means Federal ICE Agents could be on campus, but Lawson shared that the police department is not informed on this matter. 

When asked what would happen if the Harper Police Department arrested someone who is not from the United States (U.S.), Lawson stated: “We just treat that person like anybody else.” 

Lawson explained that Flock cameras cannot determine whether someone is a U.S. citizen.

Harbinger surveyed students to share their opinions on Flock cameras. The survey gathered seven varying reactions. 

“It’s an invasion of privacy. No matter if you support it or not, you have no voice in getting captured on the Flock cameras.” 

Some claimed they didn’t even notice the cameras, while others stated the cameras violated the Fourth Amendment. 

“Ain’t fond of the Fed/State Government being able to track us via surveillance,” said a survey respondent. “Privacy is a human right, and I get making cops’ days easier; but it ain’t right to be able to learn people’s routines via these cameras,” one anonymous survey respondent explained. 

Although Flock cameras were installed around 2024, they are just now gaining attention. In a statement, Dwijanto explained why he thinks this is. 

“Flock cameras have been installed without much of the public knowing, and now we are just waking up,” Dwijanto said. “We regularly accuse other countries, such as China, for spying on its own citizens. Why must we turn a blind eye when our government does it?”

Harper international student Benjamin Vergara came here from Brazil. Vergara was just elected Student Trustee and represents the “student voice to the board.” When asked about the Flock cameras, Vergara voiced a neutral stance. 

“It brings a little bit of concern when you know that you’re under surveillance,” Vergara said. “But on second thought, this could make me feel safer on campus.”

Vergara shared how he would approach the board if a student came to him with any concerns. 

“I wouldn’t tell the board straight away,” Vergara said. “Depending on what the concern is, I would evaluate [which] department can fix the issue.”