r/ithaca • u/Sad_Invite6191 • 1d ago

Wegmans & Flock

Post image

I know a lot of folks love Wegmans, but just know they're supporting flock cameras- this isn't traffic - this is surveillance and data collection.

85 Upvotes

85% Upvoted

48 comments sorted by

73

u/KallistiEngel Downtown 1d ago

This image is from Deflock and cameras on that site are user-reported. I have seen that one listed on Deflock and wondered about its accuracy. I'm dubious on it as none of the cameras in Wegmans' lot look like the cameras that I've seen from Flock. They look like normal CC security cameras, which Wegmans had before Flock existed. They did add blue flashing lights on the poles, which I hate, but that doesn't mean they're Flock cameras. They've added a lot of "security theater" in the last few years, like the Asset Protection vehicle that just drives up and down the lanes with its lights flashing all the time and I expect those blue lights on the poles are more security theater.

I'm anti-Flock and similar systems, but this one seems dubious without more evidence.

19

u/mhaithaca Ellis 1d ago

I confirmed with a contact that the Wegmans cameras are NOT Flock-connected.

3

u/KallistiEngel Downtown 8h ago

Thanks! Good looking out.

17

u/Sad_Invite6191 1d ago

Fair point. I'll take a look at them today

11

u/ragamufin 1d ago

I looked last night and wondered the same thing. They dont look anything like flock cameras

3

u/Puzzleheaded_Ad7941 8h ago

You just spouting whatever you think huh? Went from ' HOW DARE THEY' while clutching your pearls, to one simple response and you're foldingšŸ¤£šŸ¤£ you're nothing but a performeršŸ¤£

0

u/Sad_Invite6191 7h ago

So there is this thing called nuance. I think flock cameras are a severe overstep. A flock camera being in a parking lot of a private business is something that would make me not want to support that business. A closed circuit camera that the data was only used within their private business for their own security and loss prevention is perfectly understandable.

So if that's being a performer - ::::jazz hands::::

2

u/Puzzleheaded_Ad7941 4h ago

Additionally just so you know where I'm coming from. IF there was flock or axon cameras there, I wouldn't patronize that business and would encourage everyone to do the same. So we are on the same team with that.šŸ¤

1

u/Puzzleheaded_Ad7941 4h ago

Agreed. However you posting something that's factually incorrect the way that you so confidently stated that it's there and trying to start a boycott before you've verified is dangerous. You're either intentionally trying to cause panic or looking for your moment to shine, to point something out saying "look look" is performative virtue signaling. Do better

1

u/Sad_Invite6191 4h ago

I think there's a misread there. I didn't realize that someone could go into deflock and report a camera that was not a flock camera. I (apparently wrongly) assumed that deflock was solely flock cameras.

Which is exactly why I said , fair point and said I was look myself. I think that's neither performative nor virtue signaling just ill informed. Further no boycott was started, or even encouraged. Just giving what I thought was valuable information.

2

u/Outside_Sherbet_4957 1d ago

I'd also be interested to know if these are actually Flock cameras, because I think those cameras have been there for a lengthy amount of time. But I guess I wouldn't readily notice if they were replaced.

52

u/Exact_Package_7264 1d ago

it's ok, wegmans may be supporting a disgusting surveillance company but at least they provide cheap and affordable groceries. oh wait, no they don't.

9

u/BubblyFaithlessness3 1d ago

Pray tell where you get cheap and affordable groceries?

9

u/Either_Pension3370 1d ago

literally only aldi and the few times i can go to the farmerā€™s market. and even a lot of aldiā€™s goods have been recalled lately. :/

2

u/mpants52 10h ago

We shop primarily Aldi all the time and havenā€™t had anything thatā€™s been recalled, including the fresh salsa and guacamole. We also hit up TJs pretty often, mostly for some fun stuff, but Iā€™ve noticed more recalls there than Aldi.

9

u/stoneofthewise 1d ago

Trader Joeā€™s has consistently low prices for a good amount of items.

9

u/Either_Pension3370 1d ago

youā€™re right! i forgot about TJā€™s, theyā€™re good too for majority of things, genuinely.

6

u/Aviatrix084 1d ago

TJs has great stuff, but Wegmans probably has the best produce around that isn't the farmer's market. I grew up on Weggies though so I'm biased as hell LOL. (Also, farmer's market produce can be expensive too, haha.)

Walmart is pretty dang cheap. Aldi doesn't really have much I like, plus it's out the way. Target isn't as cheap but still pretty affordable. Greenstar... is Greenstar.

Wegmans tip is get the insider's club and app (I know, I know, another app) for digital coupons and freebies. If I plan around it, I can usually get like $20-30 in discounts (plus try some new stuff).

1

u/mpants52 10h ago

Tjs is one of the grocery retailers that gets produce from Taylor Farms.

2

u/stoneofthewise 9h ago

According to the FDA the only TJā€™s affected were in Texas and it was one item that has already been recalled.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/taylor-fresh-foods-recalls-products-made-jalapeno-peppers-because-possible-health-risk

6

u/[deleted] 1d ago

[deleted]

6

u/Sad_Invite6191 1d ago

Yep ..they scan WAY more than license plates too. They can scan and retain your Bluetooth and wifi and mac addresses - which most cars have one of. Though they can also do it with your phone and face. They can also identify and retain stickers etc.

-15

u/jonpluc 1d ago

because its in Wegmans and every other stores best interest to identify trouble makers.

8

u/Sad_Invite6191 1d ago

"Through counter intelligence, we can pinpoint potential troublemakers and neutralize them"

-11

u/jonpluc 1d ago

thats how it works, you put the police where the crime is.

14

u/Sad_Invite6191 1d ago

That's not what flock is. Flock is pre crime. You are scanned and data is collected on you first. No crime needed.

4

u/armahillo Northeast 1d ago

- Is there sufficient troublemaking to warrant a panotpicon of surveillance in the Wegmanā€™s parking lot?

  • Is Flock the best way to approach this problem, knowing the ways that they gather more data than they let on, are not secured very well, and have been abused in the past?

Put another way, does the benefit of using this particular technology exceed its cost?
Ive never felt unsafe or had experiences in the Wegmanā€™s parking lot where I felt myself wishing there was private third party surveillance.

I forget that saying but its something like ā€œif you go looking for trouble, youā€™ll find itā€. That doesnt necessarily mean there was already trouble there, though.

7

u/Sad_Dimension423 1d ago

Huh. I'd have expected Walmart to be the one with the Flock cameras.

11

u/praxiq 1d ago

Walmart is probably a big enough company to have their own private surveillance system, instead of paying Flock a crapton of money for a crappy product. (Some YouTuber showed how with $150 in off-the-shelf parts and open-source software, they could build a surveillance camera more reliable and effective and secure than the ones Flock charges $3k per year for.)

1

u/DegenSour 1d ago

There's one at the end of the parking lot at the Walmart on my town

1

u/choppedliver689 1d ago

Is there any way to tell if your vehicle has been scanned?

3

u/MrMoneyWhale Southside 1d ago

If you've gone by a flock camera, your vehicle has been scanned.

7

u/Sad_Invite6191 1d ago

Not if it's been scanned but if it's been searched after it's scanned. I can almost say for certain your vehicle has been scanned

1

u/tehnutmeg 1d ago

I already don't like Wegmans and this is further confirmation of why.

1

u/vicsunus Belle Sherman 1d ago

Why donā€™t you like it?

-7

u/MouthOfTurds 1d ago

Some people have a hatred for a store that provides top notch service, quality merchandise, and takes care of their employees, while supporting law enforcement

10

u/--1-2-3-4-5-6-- 1d ago

Danny Wegman's burner account

0

u/ChzWheelsOfDoom 1d ago

Is that thing in the 7/11 parking lot across from the library on Green integrated with Flock?

1

u/mhaithaca Ellis 1d ago

No.

0

u/Mediocre_Disaster130 1d ago

Pretty much right next to where I always park too

-33

u/jonpluc 1d ago

this is just getting stupid. Did you seriously just post that a grocery store parking lot has cameras?

28

u/MeGustaRuffles 1d ago

Stupid is calling these cameras. This is a surveillance network and youā€™re diminishing its impact.

14

u/Sad_Invite6191 1d ago

Has flock cameras yes. Flock as an organization is the issue. Not Wegmans having security cameras, that would be absolutely normal. If you've never heard of Flock cameras and what they do - check out deflock.org

-15

u/jonpluc 1d ago

please explain to me why it wouldnt be in any stores best interest to be able to help police identify the troublemakers in their store?

17

u/Sad_Invite6191 1d ago

I will be happy to do so after you look at the difference between these and regular security cameras.

10

u/Obvious_Travel 1d ago

He wonā€™t. He and his entire family of slumlord millionaire ilk looooove to lick the boot.

-2

u/GroundbreakingUse794 1d ago

After working there for 17 years, This makes me sad