08/19/2026
Yesterday, we asked what major issues are facing law enforcement in Frederick County.
We received excellent responses and it is clear that Flock cameras, and widespread surveillance systems regardless of what they are called, are a major concern.
“As a practical matter, I think we need to exercise extreme caution surrounding all local government surveillance cameras, speed cameras, and the like. My concern regarding any government surveillance is growing daily. I am reminded of COINTELPRO that got the FBI in trouble many years ago.” - Karl Bickel
COINTELPRO was a secret FBI program that surveilled, infiltrated, and disrupted political organizations and civil-rights activists between 1956 and 1971. Its exposure revealed serious government abuses and remains a warning about surveillance conducted without sufficient transparency or oversight.
The open-source DeFlock project maps the spread of these cameras over time:
https://maps.deflock.org/timeline?lat=39.3530&lng=-77.4219&zoom=8.72&viz=dots
Most cameras are currently concentrated in the City of Frederick, but they are spreading into rural areas. It is also notable that the map currently shows none in Thurmont.
Adding to these concerns is the use of artificial intelligence to analyze, manage, and search the images and data collected.
The implications for our privacy, freedom, and constitutional rights are serious and more will emerge as this mass-surveillance network grows.
Karl Bickel opposes a “Big Brother” system that is always watching Frederick County residents. He has already begun discussing these concerns with City and County stakeholders.
Some will say, “If you have nothing to hide, what’s the problem?”
But privacy is not about having something to hide. It is a basic civil and constitutional right.
Who do you trust to stand up and defend that right?
Chuck Jenkins (no cameras currently shown in Thurmont) or Karl Bickel, a sheriff for all of Frederick County?
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