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Racine Common Council Votes to Terminate Flock Safety Camera Contract Amid Privacy Concerns

Racine Common Council Votes to Terminate Flock Safety Camera Contract Amid Privacy Concerns

The Racine Common Council has voted 8 to 6 to terminate the city's contract with Flock Safety, a company providing license plate reader cameras. This decision follows nearly two hours of public debate that centered on balancing public safety needs with residents' data privacy concerns. Despite the vote, the Flock cameras will remain active for an additional 30 days to provide the police department with a grace period. Racine Police Chief Alexander Ramirez stated that the department has utilized Flock cameras since 2022, considering them a valuable tool for solving crimes such as shootings, homicides, missing persons cases, and stolen vehicle investigations. He noted a 57% reduction in shootings and shots fired incidents since 2022. However, privacy concerns were a significant factor in the council's decision, with residents and Alder Jens Jorgensen emphasizing the will of the people regarding data privacy. Resident Madeline Thompson also highlighted that two officers had been investigated for allegedly mis...

Wilmington Police Department Terminates Flock Safety Contract Amid Privacy Concerns

Wilmington Police Department Terminates Flock Safety Contract Amid Privacy Concerns

The Wilmington Police Department has announced the termination of its contract with Flock Safety, a company providing automatic license plate reading (ALPR) cameras. This decision comes in response to growing privacy concerns expressed by the community regarding the use of such surveillance technology. The department currently operates two cameras, one installed in March 2023 at Middlesex Avenue and Federal Street, and another in June 2024 on Main Street at Bridge Lane. Both cameras are slated for removal as soon as possible. The police department stated that while ALPR cameras have been instrumental in investigations, community privacy concerns and questions about Flock Safety's data usage now outweigh the continued deployment of the equipment. The department anticipates receiving a $2,500 refund due to the early termination of the contract, which was originally set to expire on February 27, 2027. Wilmington joins at least 31 other Massachusetts municipalities that have either canceled or paused their use...

Las Cruces Police Department Launches Transparency Portal for Flock Camera Usage

Las Cruces Police Department Launches Transparency Portal for Flock Camera Usage

The Las Cruces Police Department (LCPD) has introduced a Flock Camera Transparency Portal to address public concerns regarding privacy and the use of Flock automatic license plate readers (ALPRs). This initiative includes a video explanation of how the technology is utilized. The portal provides comprehensive information, such as data retention policies, usage summaries, and details on what the cameras detect. According to the LCPD, data collected by Flock cameras is retained for 30 days before being automatically deleted. The portal clarifies that these cameras detect license plates and vehicles but do not identify faces, people, gender, or race. It also outlines LCPD's use policy and specifies prohibited uses of the technology. The department emphasizes that the system aims to capture objective evidence without compromising individual privacy. This launch coincides with the El Paso City Council's unanimous vote to remove all Flock ALPRs and to prevent new contracts with Flock Safety unless directed by th...

Ulta Beauty sees customer backlash over a store policy intensify

Ulta Beauty sees customer backlash over a store policy intensify

A growing customer response is drawing fresh attention to Ulta Beauty as concerns surrounding its stores continue to mount.

Maine Department of Transportation Temporarily Closes Ouellette Road in Cross Lake for Culvert Replacement

Maine Department of Transportation Temporarily Closes Ouellette Road in Cross Lake for Culvert Replacement

The Maine Department of Transportation (MaineDOT) has announced a temporary closure of Ouellette Road in Cross Lake, Maine, for up to 21 days. This closure is necessary for a large culvert replacement project involving the Sullimond Brook Bridge over West Fork Dickey Brook. The project site is located 0.91 miles north of Route 161. Drivers are advised to use a designated detour route, which involves taking Flat Mountain Road to Route 162/Main Street and then Sinclair Road to return to Route 161/Caribou Road. Detour signs have been put in place to guide motorists. The contractor for this project is Ed Pelletier & Sons of Madawaska, Maine, with a contract amount of $452,150.00. Work is anticipated to be completed by fall 2026.

Governor Mills Commemorates 20th Anniversary of Maine-Montenegro National Guard Partnership

Governor Mills Commemorates 20th Anniversary of Maine-Montenegro National Guard Partnership

Governor Janet Mills of Maine has arrived in Podgorica, Montenegro, to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the National Guard State Partnership between Maine and Montenegro. She is accompanied by Maine Major General Diane Dunn. This partnership, established in 2006 through a bilateral affairs agreement involving the U.S. Department of Defense, the State of Maine, and the Government of Montenegro, links U.S. states and territories with other nations to foster collaboration in military, security, and disaster response capabilities. During her visit, Governor Mills and Major General Dunn are scheduled to meet with 30 Maine National Guardsmen participating in Common Challenge 2026, a multinational mountain training exercise aimed at enhancing interoperability, readiness, and cooperation among partner nations. They will also engage in bilateral discussions with Montenegrin government and defense leaders. The Governor's Office plans to release updates and photos from the visit, with Governor Mills expected to re...

Calais City Council Votes to Pursue Financing for Armory Purchase

Calais City Council Votes to Pursue Financing for Armory Purchase

The Calais City Council has unanimously voted to allow City Manager Mike Ellis to solicit bids for financing to purchase the Calais Armory from the Maine National Guard. The city has been pursuing the property for several years, with the aim of relocating some municipal services, including the police department and city administration, to the building. The asking price for the armory is $578,000, slightly above its assessed value of $575,000. The Maine National Guard had initially decided to retain the armory but reversed its decision and offered it for sale to the city. The armory underwent extensive renovations in 2016 to improve energy efficiency and preparedness. Councilor Michael Sherrard expressed concerns about the purchase given recent property tax increases in Calais.

Governor Mills Reinforces Maine-Montenegro Partnership, Focusing on Defense and Economic Ties

Governor Mills Reinforces Maine-Montenegro Partnership, Focusing on Defense and Economic Ties

Governor Janet Mills of Maine recently conducted bilateral meetings with top Montenegrin leaders, including President Jakov Milatović and Foreign Minister Ervin Ibrahimović, to commemorate two decades of partnership between Maine and Montenegro. The discussions centered on enhancing cooperation across several critical sectors: defense, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and the economy. Governor Mills underscored the enduring nature of this relationship and the mutual commitment to its future growth. Foreign Minister Ibrahimović highlighted the United States' role as Montenegro's primary strategic partner and ally, emphasizing its significance for peace, stability, and security in the Western Balkans. The visit also coincided with the 20th anniversary of the Maine-Montenegro National Guard Partnership, with Major General Diane Dunn accompanying Governor Mills. This partnership, established in 2006, links U.S. states and territories with other nations to collaborate on military, security, and disaster ...

U.S. Senator Angus King Backs Bill to Modernize Fisheries Tracking with eDNA Technology

U.S. Senator Angus King Backs Bill to Modernize Fisheries Tracking with eDNA Technology

U.S. Sen. Angus King, I-Maine, is supporting the Fisheries Science Modernization Act, a bipartisan bill aimed at updating how federal officials monitor and protect fisheries. The proposed legislation seeks to integrate environmental DNA (eDNA) and other biomolecular tools into the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) fisheries programs. The primary objective is to enhance the accuracy and reduce the cost of fish population surveys. Currently, NOAA's stock assessment methods are expensive and constrained by the availability of research vessels, leading to gaps in survey coverage. The bill would enable NOAA to utilize eDNA, a modern technology already widely adopted in the private sector, for its assessments. This technology allows researchers to gather data in remote or hazardous environments more cost-effectively than traditional survey methods. Senator King emphasized that fisheries are vital to Maine's economy and culture, and their sustainability is crucial for their continued promin...

South Portland City Council Cancels Contract with AI Surveillance Company Flock Amidst Resident Pushback

South Portland City Council Cancels Contract with AI Surveillance Company Flock Amidst Resident Pushback

The South Portland City Council has voted to terminate its contract with Flock, an AI-powered surveillance company, leading to the immediate removal of its cameras from the city. This decision followed a concerted effort by local residents who organized to persuade the council to end the agreement. Lucy Perkins, a key figure in this grassroots movement, is now seeking election to the Legislature as a Democrat, aiming to extend this momentum to the state level. The move in South Portland reflects a broader trend across Maine and the U.S., where communities are increasingly pushing back against the deployment of AI surveillance technologies like automated license plate readers (ALPRs). Concerns include warrantless mass surveillance and potential misuse of the technology, making it a bipartisan issue. While Maine law prohibits private companies from using ALPRs and bans facial recognition by law enforcement, technological advancements are outpacing legislative responses, creating gray areas that companies oft...

Two Peachtree City Officers Removed After Flock Safety Audit Reveals Misconduct

Two Peachtree City Officers Removed After Flock Safety Audit Reveals Misconduct

Two officers from the Peachtree City Police Department in metro Atlanta have been removed from service following an internal audit of the department's use of Flock Safety technology. The audit uncovered two distinct incidents involving the misuse of this technology. Each instance was independently flagged, leading to an immediate referral to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) for an independent criminal investigation. The Peachtree City Police Department confirmed that both officers involved are no longer employed by the department. The GBI has acknowledged that an investigation is underway but has not released specific details regarding the individuals under investigation or the nature of the misconduct.

Elmet Group wins $2 billion US tungsten stockpile contract

Elmet Group wins $2 billion US tungsten stockpile contract

Sept 14 (Reuters) - Elmet Group said on Monday one of its units had been awarded a contract worth about $2 billion by the U.S. Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) to help rebuild the National Defense Stockpile and strengthen the country's tungsten supply chain.