Multiple US Jurisdictions Terminate Flock Safety Camera Contracts

Several United States jurisdictions are dismantling or refusing to renew contracts with Flock Safety, a provider of license plate recognition cameras, citing privacy concerns and budgetary pressures. In Dutchess County, New York, Sheriff Kirk Imperati and District Attorney Anthony P. Parisi withdrew their support for the technology following community forums where residents raised alarms over mass surveillance. County Executive Sue Serino supported the move, diverting approximately $500,000 from the 2027 budget to fund EMS, veterans, and youth programming.

Similar actions occurred in the Midwest. Mayor Justin Nickels announced that Manitowoc, Wisconsin, has deactivated its cameras and will exclude funding for citywide surveillance networks from its 2027 budget to protect community trust. In Sturgis, the City Commission decided not to renew its contract due to budget limitations, with Public Safety Director Ryan Banaszak noting that the service must be eliminated despite the cameras being a useful tool.

Conversely, Summit County, Colorado, will maintain its contract after a 30-day review. Sheriff Jaime FitzSimons defended the system as a tool that enhances public safety but implemented new restrictions, including reducing image retention from 30 days to seven. In response to widespread scrutiny, Flock Safety CEO Garrett Langley announced company-wide mandates effective January 1, including mandatory audits and requiring law enforcement to link searches to specific case codes.