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[POLITICS] · United States · 6 sources

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Part of situation: Flock Safety faces rising vandalism, misuse, and politics (75 clusters)

Municipalities restrict or end use of Flock Safety license plate readers

Flock Safety license plate readers surveillance privacy municipal policy data retention

Several U.S. municipalities are taking action to limit or terminate the use of automated license plate reader (ALPR) technology provided by Flock Safety due to privacy and surveillance concerns.

In Elgin, Texas, the City Council voted unanimously to end its contract with Flock Safety. The decision follows a monthlong pause initiated by the Police Chief. The city’s system included 25 cameras and a mobile trailer. Mayor Pro Tem YaLecia Love stated the move aims to invest in tools that provide public safety benefits while maintaining local control over resident information.

In Lincoln, Maine, the town council voted to remove the purchase of fixed license plate readers from a list of approved uses for a $565,000 grant. The funds will instead be redirected toward utility terrain vehicles, IT equipment, and camera upgrades. This decision follows public opposition regarding the potential for tracking movements without legal cause.

In West Lafayette, Indiana, the city council unanimously voted to reduce the data retention period for Flock Safety images from 30 days to seven days. This restriction applies to data not tied to active law enforcement investigations. The city will continue to use its four contracted cameras but will prohibit video recording, live feeds, or voice files.

Entities

Elgin · Flock Safety · Lincoln · Texas Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Authority · West Lafayette

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

  • [○ 1 SOURCE] Lincoln's town council removed fixed license plate readers from a list of possible uses for a $565,000 grant. www.bangordailynews.com
  • [○ 1 SOURCE] The seven-day retention limit in West Lafayette excludes data related to active law enforcement investigations. dmnews.com
  • [○ 1 SOURCE] Elgin's system consisted of 25 cameras and one mobile trailer. www.elgincourier.com
  • [○ 1 SOURCE] The Elgin City Council voted unanimously on Oct. 13 to terminate its Flock Safety contract. www.elgincourier.com
  • [○ 1 SOURCE] West Lafayette city council voted to reduce Flock Safety data retention from 30 days to seven days. dmnews.com
  • [○ 1 SOURCE] West Lafayette will not utilize video recording, live feeds, or voice files via the Flock Safety cameras. dmnews.com

Sources

University of Illinois Senate plans to review Flock automated license plate reader contract [ipmnewsroom.org]
Hunters Point’s panopticon [sfbayview.com]
APS disables Flock surveillance cameras on school properties as city decides to quit paying [sentinelcolorado.com]
Elgin cuts ties with Flock Safety [www.elgincourier.com]
West Lafayette cut camera data to 7 days, as the Indiana city council voted unanimously on 5 October 2026 to shorten Flock Safety licence plate records from 30 days, and set general user sewer rates at $7.51 per 1,000 gallons in 2027. [dmnews.com]
Lincoln council won’t use grant money to fund traffic cameras [www.bangordailynews.com]