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Rebecca Noecker to Introduce Resolution to End St. Paul's Contract with Flock Cameras

St. Paul City Council President Rebecca Noecker is set to introduce a nonbinding resolution on Wednesday to terminate the city's contract with Flock, a company providing automated license plate reader (ALPR) technology. The move follows growing public scrutiny over privacy concerns and the technology's role in federal immigration enforcement. While the administration of Mayor Kaohly Her is assessing the technology landscape to build community trust, Noecker argues that communities need investment rather than surveillance. Conversely, Ramsey County Sheriff Bob Fletcher defends the technology, noting that it has reduced auto thefts by 74% over the last three years. Fletcher maintains that the county does not allow public searches of its system and avoids working with the federal government to prevent data misuse. Despite these defenses, several Minnesota communities have already canceled or suspended their contracts with Flock as residents express concern over a user-owned database of personal information. State legislators are also considering new bills to limit how police use license plate reader data and require warning signs for the public.

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