(DCNF)—The fine print behind 20 surveillance cameras in northern West Virginia points to a reach far beyond county lines.
Monongalia County’s contract with Flock Safety lays out the company’s nationwide camera network and vehicle search tools, WV News reported Wednesday. The county’s Flock deal opens the company’s camera networks to deputies, putting billions of plate scans within reach each month, the contract says,
The county’s own camera data is open to searches by 980 other law enforcement organizations, an audit by the Sheriff’s Office found, according to WV News. Agencies outside the state and outside a 50-mile radius, however, cannot find its network.
The audit also found that drug and narcotics cases made up 188 searches with the cameras between Jan. 1 and June 25, more than any other category, WV News reported.
A feature Flock calls “Vehicle Fingerprint” lets officers track down a car by make, color and other physical features rather than its plate number, the outlet reported. The deal also binds the county to Flock’s online terms, which give the company broad rights to camera data.
“Customer hereby grants to Flock a limited, non-exclusive, royalty-free, irrevocable, perpetual, worldwide license to (a) use and disclose Customer Data to provide the Flock Services; and (b) use Customer Data to support and improve Flock’s products and services,” Flock states in its August 2026 terms and conditions. The terms explain that the county keeps ownership of its data.
Sheriff Todd Forbes signed the deal with Flock in Nov. 2025, committing the county to $177,600 over three years for 20 cameras, according to WV News.
“Flock does not share specifics regarding individual agency contracts, camera counts, locations or deployments,” a Flock spokesperson told the Daily Caller News Foundation. “The customer agency is the best source for this information.”
The spokesperson also referred the DCNF to a June 2025 blog post on Flock’s website explaining the mechanics of sharing camera data.
“Flock Safety’s License Plate Reader (LPR) platform is made up of individual cameras that submit data about cars to a user interface, with that data owned by each individual customer. Each LPR in the customer’s network captures vehicular evidence to solve crime,” the post states in part.
The Monongalia County Sheriff’s Office and the Monongalia County Commission each did not immediately respond to the DCNF’s requests for comment.
The county’s cameras make up a small slice of Flock’s network of more than 300,000 devices mapped in September by cybersecurity researcher Joshua Michael.
Officials in both parties have moved against the surveillance cameras.
Three lawmakers introduced a bill Friday that would end the federal government’s use of license plate readers. The Ban Flock Act came from Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, Democratic Sen. Jeff Merkley of Oregon and Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont.
“We cannot allow America to become a surveillance state where AI oligarchs profit by giving the government the power to track our every movement,” Sanders said in a Friday X post.
A separate bill from Republican Rep. Greg Steube of Florida, introduced Sept. 24, would stop federal agencies from searching Flock cameras without a warrant.
“When you give the government the ability to track people, someone WILL abuse it,” Steube said in an Aug 20 X post about misuse of the cameras by a Sarasota police officer. “Our Fourth Amendment rights don’t disappear because technology advances. BLOCK THE FLOCK!”
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Starting the Day With a Scripture-Inspired Roast Helps Center Your Thoughts on Eternal Truths Amid Temporal Pressures
The world can seem chaotic, especially right after we wake up. Many believers start their mornings reaching for something familiar — a hot cup of coffee — yet end up settling for mediocre brews that do little more than deliver a caffeine jolt. The daily grind of life, with its endless distractions, news cycles, and responsibilities, can leave even the most faithful feeling spiritually parched alongside their physical fatigue. What if your morning ritual could do more than wake you up? What if it could ground you in truth, nourish your body with exceptional quality, and quietly advance a kingdom purpose at the same time?
That’s the promise — and the reality — behind Promised Grounds Coffee. This Christian-founded company doesn’t just roast beans; it approaches every step as an act of worship and discipleship. By selecting only the top 10% of specialty-grade beans, ethically sourced from dedicated farmers in Central and South America, and small-batch roasting them with reverence in Austin, Texas, Promised Grounds delivers what many describe as the best coffee available — never burnt, never bland, but rich with origin stories and layered flavors that honor God’s creation.
From the vibrant Psalm 27 Roast (a light, bright medium option) to the bold yet peaceful 2 Timothy 1:7 Decaf, each bag carries a Scripture verse that turns your daily pour into a gentle reminder of faith. And through their Ounce Per Ounce Promise, every ounce of coffee you enjoy provides an equal ounce of clean water to families in need via partnership with Filter of Hope — literally brewing hope for body and soul, one cup at a time.
The challenge for today’s Christians runs deeper than finding a decent cup. In an age of convenience-driven consumerism, it’s easy to support companies that dilute values or remain silent on matters of faith. Many believers want their everyday choices — from what they drink to how they spend — to reflect discipleship rather than just convenience. Promised Grounds solves this by weaving Christian excellence into the entire process: beans nurtured with prayerful stewardship by farming families, roasted as an offering rather than a commodity, and packaged with Bible verses to encourage a mindset of gratitude and purpose from the first sip. Reviewers consistently praise the smooth, rich profiles — whether enjoyed black in a drip maker, iced on a warm day, or shared in fellowship — noting how the quality stands toe-to-toe with premium secular brands while delivering something far more meaningful.
This integration of faith and flavor addresses a real need in Christian households and ministries. Busy parents, church leaders, and remote workers alike report that starting the day with a Scripture-inspired roast helps center their thoughts on eternal truths amid temporal pressures. The coffee’s exceptional character — bright citrus notes in lighter roasts or deep chocolate undertones in bolder ones — comes from meticulous selection and careful roasting that respects the bean’s natural gifts rather than masking them. It’s the kind of coffee that elevates a simple quiet time, fuels productive workdays, or sparks meaningful conversations when shared at Bible studies or outreach events. And because it’s ethically sourced with integrity, every purchase supports sustainable livelihoods for farmers who treat their crops like family harvests.
For those leading churches or small groups, the impact multiplies. Promised Grounds offers bundles and options perfect for hospitality ministries, turning ordinary coffee service into an opportunity to point people toward the living water of Christ. Imagine greeting visitors with a warm cup whose very bag carries God’s Word — a subtle yet powerful witness that aligns with the Great Commission. The company’s Texas roots and commitment to “brewing hope” resonate especially with believers who value American enterprise paired with global compassion.
Of course, quality alone isn’t enough if the experience feels out of reach. Promised Grounds keeps it accessible with practical perks like free shipping on orders over $40, sample sets for discovering favorites, and thoughtful add-ons such as faith-themed mugs. Whether you prefer whole beans for fresh grinding, grounds for convenience, or even bulk options for larger households and ministries, the result is consistently superior coffee that makes discipleship feel integrated rather than added on.
As you consider how to align even the smallest habits with your walk with God, Promised Grounds Coffee stands out as a refreshing solution. It tackles the dual problems of subpar daily sustenance and disconnected consumption by offering a product that genuinely excels in taste while advancing a mission of clean water, farmer dignity, and scriptural encouragement. Believers who make the switch often describe it as more than a beverage upgrade — it becomes part of their rhythm of gratitude, a daily invitation to remember that every good gift comes from above.
If you’re ready to transform your mornings (and perhaps your church gatherings) with coffee that honors both exceptional craftsmanship and Christian values, I encourage you to explore what Promised Grounds has to offer. One sip at a time, you’ll be nourishing your body, refreshing your spirit, and participating in something far greater — all while enjoying what truly is among the best coffee available.
