Police departments across the country have rapidly adopted Flock Safety automated license plate readers, creating vast networks that track vehicle movements in real time. The technology promises faster crime solving but raises alarms over data retention, sharing with federal agencies, and minimal judicial oversight. The cartoon argues that these systems are eroding civil liberties with little public accountability.
The cartoon depicts a dense crowd of Americans standing on a map of the United States, partially obscured by a large dark shadow cast by surveillance cameras mounted on poles. The words 'Surveillance State' appear prominently in green lettering across the scene, while a sign in the upper right reads 'CASTING A 25 YEAR-LONG SHADOW.' The image comments on the lasting effects of expanded government surveillance programs that began after the September 11 attacks, now spanning a quarter century. It illustrates how these measures continue to influence daily life and public spaces in 2026.
On the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, the cartoon highlights the human tragedy while pointing to the subsequent expansion of state surveillance and erosion of privacy. The editorial position frames the attacks as both an end to national innocence and the start of heightened monitoring.
Flock Safety, co-founded by Garrett Langley in 2017, has installed cameras in over 4,000 cities across 42 states with backing from Peter Thiel. Langley promoted the system as a way to eliminate crime, yet reports show false arrests and widespread privacy concerns. The cartoon depicts Langley consuming a map of the US as cameras proliferate, underscoring the editorial view that the company's growth represents an unchecked invasion of public privacy.
The image shows a woman facing an assault rifle with a speech bubble expressing surprise at having many rights. It responds to the Supreme Court's June 2022 decision overturning Roe v. Wade alongside separate rulings expanding gun access. The visual premise juxtaposes reproductive restrictions against firearm protections under the Second Amendment.
