US Local Governments Split Over Flock Surveillance Cameras

Local governments across the United States are increasingly divided over the use of Flock Safety automated license plate readers. In mid-September 2026, Leon County, Florida, and Arlington County, Virginia, both voted to remove the devices from public property. Leon County commissioners gave vendors 30 days to comply, while Arlington officials ordered the removal of 41 devices within 14 business days and the deletion of non-essential data to maintain community trust.

Similar trends emerged in Maine, where South Portland, Falmouth, and York terminated their contracts with the company. York Police Chief Owen Davis announced the immediate removal of cameras ahead of a November vote to ban the technology. This shift is mirrored at the state level, with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis ordering the removal of readers from state highways. In New York, lawmakers including Assemblyman Michael Cashman and Senator Dan Stec are proposing state regulations to govern data collection and prevent the creation of a police state.

Conversely, some jurisdictions continue to expand their surveillance. The East Peoria City Council recently passed a first vote to add ten more cameras at a cost of $156,500, with officials arguing the tools are essential for community protection. The debate has also entered gubernatorial campaigns in Maine, where candidates Hannah Pingree and Rick Bennett support a statewide ban, while Republican Bobby Charles argues that law enforcement needs such tools to apprehend dangerous criminals.