STEVENSON, Wash. — Skamania County has shut down its network of six automated license plate–reader cameras after a Washington Superior Court judge ruled that images captured by Flock Safety systems qualify as public records. The decision, issued in a separate case outside the county, has prompted agencies across the state to reassess how the cameras are used and whether the data they collect can remain secure.

The Skamania County Sheriff’s Office had operated the cameras for about a year to help locate missing people and track stolen vehicles. Undersheriff Tracy Wyckoff said the tool had been effective during its short time in use.

“We’ve had some successes with locating missing people, stolen vehicles. People that were missing and — I mean, it hasn’t been enormous numbers, but it’s

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