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St. Paul City Council President Rebecca Noecker Proposes Resolution to End Flock Safety Camera Contracts

St. Paul City Council President Rebecca Noecker is seeking to end the city's contracts with Flock Safety, a company providing automated license plate readers. Noecker argued that the cameras create a mass surveillance state and expressed concern over the fact that the data is often used for federal immigration enforcement. While law enforcement officials, such as Ramsey County Sheriff Bob Fletcher, defend the technology as an effective tool for reducing auto thefts and carjackings, many residents and privacy advocates are pushing for its removal. Across the country, several municipalities are ending their contracts with Flock Safety due to privacy concerns and documented instances of police misuse. In response, the company has announced updated policies regarding data retention and auditing. Some cities, like Longmont, Colorado, have replaced Flock with Axon, a larger police technology company. However, critics warn that swapping vendors without addressing underlying surveillance concerns may not be be enough. In Pulaski County, Sheriff Stacy L. Ball decided to discontinue the program to prioritize public trust over technology.

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