Neenah Common Council unanimously ends use of license plate reading Flock cameras

The cameras have drawn criticism for invading privacy, with some questioning Fourth Amendment violations.

“I have to represent all of our city in the best way possible,” said Police Chief Aaron Olson. “And there’s things that I said that do not make me comfortable at this point.”

Neenah’s cameras were actually already deactivated, according to Olson. The city will now place bags over them and ask Flock to take them down within the next 30 days.

Why did Olson request to end the agreement?

Olson says the technology is valuable for investigations, recovering stolen vehicles and identifying suspects, but the benefits outweigh the drawbacks.

He made the decision after talking with Sheboygan’s police chief. Sheboygan’s mayor said Flock cameras have been tracking driving speeds and movement patterns, and that the company offered to sell that data back to the city.

Flock responded to the claim, pointing to a post clarifying their cameras’ use.

“Online databases featuring data about Flock searches are in no way affiliated with Flock, and Flock did not release any data to them,” a Flock spokesperson said. “Data on these websites was obtained through public records requests filed in other states. Customers own and control their data, and Flock does not sell it.”

Olson also says Flock isn’t meeting standards for communication, trust, transparency and integrity.

“I’m not going to get too much into the details with that, because we are under the contract,” said Olson. “But words matter, whether it’s a representative coming here to the city or a contract or for another city, and every word has meaning. And there are things that were said that do not make me comfortable at this point.”

How much will taxpayers have to cover?

The contract allows the city to stop payments before the end of each fiscal year, which ends December 31, so taxpayers will be paying what’s left of the $30,000 annual agreement, about $8,500.

Will Neenah consider future ALPR cameras?

Olson says the city will wait to see if state lawmakers pass regulations on license-plate reading cameras, which may come as soon as the beginning of the next session in January with Assembly Bill 576. State Rep. Calvin Callahan, who serves as Chairman of the Assembly Committee on Consumer Protection, also said he intends to hold a hearing on surveillance cameras when the Legislature returns.

Until the state decides on that, Neenah will not pursue a replacement.

Also this week, Oshkosh decided not to move forward with a committee that would establish guardrails on the technology, whose department is also waiting for state lawmakers to act.