Americans hate Flock cameras, the automated license plate readers that record identifying information about vehicles. More than 120,000 of these cameras across 49 states let police search by license plate, make, model and other features to reconstruct where a particular car has been over the course of a day.

Americans who value privacy are speaking out, many through legitimate protests against the devices. Others, unfortunately, have joined a growing vigilante campaign aimed at destroying them.

I'm nervous about these devices too, but vandalizing them is not the answer.

Flock debates should be decided by legislatures, not vigilantes

Anti-Flock vandalism is already rampant. In at least 36 states, cameras have been sawed down, stolen, doused in paint, even shot. Many of the vandals are teenagers, egged on by social media videos that walk viewers through how to destroy a camera step by step. Once you've learned the technique, finding a target is easy: several sites map exactly where the cameras are.

Flock Safety says it has contracts with more than 5,000 police departments across 49 states. With that kind of reach, it's no surprise the backlash has been just as widespread.

Cosplaying as a member of some dystopian resistance might seem cool, but vigilantism isn't how we do things here.........

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