POLITICS

Local cities end Flock camera use amid privacy concerns

PUBLISHED Jul 8, 2026, 11:25 PM ET

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Media Bias Meter

Sources: 4

Center 75%

Right 25%

Sources: 4

KAUKAUNA, Wis. officials announced this week that the city did not renew its three‑year contract with Flock Safety, ending use of the company's automated license plate reader cameras when the agreement expired at the end of June. Mayor Tony Penterman said he and the police chief made the decision without a council vote, citing broader reports of inappropriate uses. Green Bay and other northeast Wisconsin communities have similarly reviewed or terminated Flock services, while Appleton and Grand Chute are developing new standards for ALPR deployment. On Monday, July 6, Kalamazoo residents pressed officials over access logs and transparency; in Suffolk, Virginia, a suspect was arrested after a six‑month investigation into the deliberate destruction of Flock cameras.

By Michael Grant | JQJO News

Timeline of Events

Municipalities installed Flock Safety ALPR cameras for license-plate tracking over recent years.
Menominee, Michigan canceled its Flock contract earlier this year.
End of June: Kaukauna chose not to renew its three-year contract with Flock Safety.
July 6: Kalamazoo City Commission meeting where residents demanded access logs and greater transparency.
After a six-month investigation, Suffolk, Virginia police arrested a suspect accused of destroying 13 Flock cameras.

News Intelligence

Your city might use Flock Safety's ALPR cameras. They track license plates, potentially yours. If you're concerned about privacy, ask your local officials about their use. Check if your city has rules for ALPR deployment and who can access the data.

Media Bias

Articles Published:: 4
Right Leaning:: 1
Left Leaning:: 0
Neutral:: 3

Who Benefited

Privacy advocacy groups, municipal policymakers, and citizens concerned about data sharing benefited by prompting reviews of ALPR policies and procurement practices across multiple cities.

Who Impacted

Local law enforcement agencies faced increased scrutiny, potential gaps in investigative tools, and operational disruption as contracts ended or were paused.

Media Bias

Articles Published:: 4
Right Leaning:: 1
Left Leaning:: 0
Neutral:: 3
Distribution:: Left 0%, Center 75%, Right 25%

Who Benefited

Privacy advocacy groups, municipal policymakers, and citizens concerned about data sharing benefited by prompting reviews of ALPR policies and procurement practices across multiple cities.

Who Impacted

Local law enforcement agencies faced increased scrutiny, potential gaps in investigative tools, and operational disruption as contracts ended or were paused.