Cities Clash Over Use of Flock License Plate Cameras
San Francisco and Milwaukee officials implemented contrasting policies on Flock license plate surveillance, with one restricting data use and the other voting to remove cameras entirely.
Local governments in San Francisco and Milwaukee are taking divergent approaches to the use of Flock license plate surveillance technology. In San Francisco, Mayor Daniel Lurie announced new restrictions on September 29, 2026, requiring the technology provider to delete license plate reader data after 30 days. While the San Francisco Police Department can keep copies for one year, officers must now obtain supervisor approval and prove a connection to an active criminal investigation to access data beyond the initial 30-day window.
To complement these restrictions, San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins and Assemblymember Matt Haney announced plans for legislation to increase accountability for data misuse, including a proposed state bill to criminalize the improper sharing of license plate data.
Meanwhile, the Milwaukee County Parks and Culture Committee unanimously voted on September 29 to remove 42 Flock cameras from county parks by the end of the year. Sponsored by Supervisor Justin Bielinski, the resolution follows privacy concerns and reports of law enforcement misuse. The Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office opposed the removal, arguing the cameras are essential for solving crimes. The resolution now awaits a final vote from the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors this Thursday.
