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Germantown Police Department Continues Use of Flock Cameras Amidst Regional Scrutiny

Germantown Police Department Continues Use of Flock Cameras Amidst Regional Scrutiny

The Germantown Police Department, led by Chief Patrick Merten, has affirmed its commitment to using Flock cameras as an investigative tool for crime prevention and resolution within the Village of Germantown. This decision comes as other nearby municipalities, such as Racine, Oconomowoc, and Waukesha, are either ending or reviewing their contracts with Flock Safety. The department currently operates 11 automated license plate reader (ALPR) cameras and one pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) camera. The ALPR cameras capture license plates, vehicle make, model, and color, aiding in identifying vehicles linked to reported crimes. The PTZ camera, located at Kinderberg Park, monitors activity 24/7 and provides notifications for motion detection during park closure hours, installed in response to persistent vandalism. Chief Merten emphasized that the department has not received complaints of misuse and has implemented safeguards, including auditing personnel's use of the system, to ensure adherence to policy and legitimate law ...

Lee's Summit Police Pause Sharing Flock Camera Data Amid Community Privacy Concerns

Lee's Summit Police Pause Sharing Flock Camera Data Amid Community Privacy Concerns

The Lee's Summit Police Department has announced a temporary halt to sharing its automatic license plate reader (ALPR) camera data, commonly known as Flock camera data, with other law enforcement agencies and jurisdictions. This decision comes in response to significant community outcry and privacy concerns raised by residents in Lee's Summit and other Kansas City-area cities. The pause will remain in effect until a formal memorandum of understanding (MOU) is drafted and signed by any external law enforcement agencies wishing to access the data. Sgt. Chris Depue indicated that this policy change was a direct result of ongoing concerns and a commitment to departmental standards. The development follows similar actions in other Missouri and Kansas communities, such as Parkville, Gardner, and Wellsville, which have terminated their contracts with Flock. Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe also recently signed an executive order imposing stricter regulations on the use of AI cameras, including mandates for data delet...

Eastpointe Police Officers Investigated for Improper Use of Flock Surveillance Technology, City Terminates Contract

Eastpointe Police Officers Investigated for Improper Use of Flock Surveillance Technology, City Terminates Contract

Two Eastpointe police officers are under investigation for allegedly misusing their access to Flock Safety search tools, leading to one officer receiving "severe discipline." The Eastpointe Police Department initiated internal investigations after USA TODAY reporters flagged unusual search activity in audit logs made public through records requests. Police Chief Corey K. Haines stated that one employee misused Flock for personal purposes, while the other committed a policy violation. The officer involved in personal misuse received severe discipline, and the second case remains under investigation. Following these revelations and growing public concern, the Eastpointe City Council voted to terminate its contract with Flock Safety, an Atlanta-based surveillance technology company. Eastpointe Mayor Michael Klinefelt, who proposed the contract termination, cited resident concerns over the potential for misuse and the invasive nature of such surveillance technology. The city had installed 18 Flock cameras in 2...

State Policy Network Affiliates Challenge Government Surveillance via License Plate Readers

State Policy Network Affiliates Challenge Government Surveillance via License Plate Readers

Across the U.S., affiliates of the State Policy Network (SPN) are actively challenging the use of automated license plate readers (ALPRs), often referred to as Flock cameras, due to growing concerns over government surveillance and digital privacy. These cameras, which use artificial intelligence to capture and share vehicle information, are becoming more powerful and widespread, with Flock Safety alone operating over 120,000 cameras in 49 states. While law enforcement uses ALPRs to track criminals, they also create extensive records of the daily movements of individuals not suspected of any crime. SPN affiliates are pushing for greater transparency and stronger legal restraints on how this location data is accessed, stored, and shared. Legal centers in Wisconsin and Kansas have filed lawsuits challenging warrantless tracking and searches of travel records, while a Michigan legal center is seeking disclosure of records detailing camera locations and database access. The Institute for Justice, an SPN Nation...

Massachusetts First Snowfall Expected in November

Massachusetts First Snowfall Expected in November

The Farmers' Almanac has released its first snowfall map for the 2026-2027 winter season, predicting that Massachusetts will see its first measurable snowfall in November. This aligns with historical averages, as Boston typically experiences its first measurable snow around November 28. The National Weather Service (NWS) defines measurable snow as at least 0.01 inches. While the Farmers' Almanac emphasizes that its map serves as a climatological guide rather than a specific storm forecast, it anticipates a wetter-than-normal winter across much of the United States, with the Northeast potentially facing a mix of rain, sleet, ice, and heavy snow. The NWS has also noted that confidence is growing for the first impactful snowfall of the season in higher elevations of the Rocky Mountain Front in Montana this weekend.

York Police Department to Remove Flock License Plate Cameras Ahead of Voter Referendum

York Police Department to Remove Flock License Plate Cameras Ahead of Voter Referendum

The York Police Department in Maine is taking down its Flock license plate cameras, a decision announced by Police Chief Owen Davis at a recent select board meeting. This action comes weeks before York voters are scheduled to decide in November whether to permanently ban the technology. Chief Davis indicated that while most residents have not expressed concerns about the York Police Department's use of the cameras, there is broader apprehension regarding the technology and the company behind it. This move follows similar actions in other Maine communities, including South Portland, which removed its Flock cameras in June due to public pushback. The police chief stated his intention to remove the cameras immediately if there were no objections from citizens, board members, or the town manager.

The RealReal Expands Physical Presence with First Massachusetts Store in Chestnut Hill

The RealReal Expands Physical Presence with First Massachusetts Store in Chestnut Hill

The RealReal Expands Physical Presence with First Massachusetts Store in Chestnut Hill

US judge strikes down Education Department's anti-DEI grant policy

US judge strikes down Education Department's anti-DEI grant policy

By Nate Raymond BOSTON, Sept 17 (Reuters) - A federal judge on Thursday struck down a policy that was adopted early in US President Donald Trump's administration that required the US Department of Education to terminate millions of dollars in grants funding diversity, equity, and inclusion

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...

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...

Kemmerer Surveillance Cameras Spark Privacy Debate Amidst Misinformation

Kemmerer Surveillance Cameras Spark Privacy Debate Amidst Misinformation

The city of Kemmerer, Wyoming, is embroiled in a privacy debate following the installation of new surveillance cameras, which were mistakenly identified on social media as 'Flock cameras.' This misidentification led to public outcry and concerns about police surveillance and personal privacy. Kemmerer Police Chief Michael Kahre clarified that the cameras are standard surveillance devices, similar to those used by businesses and schools, and are not part of the Flock Safety system or equipped with automated license-plate reader technology. Mayor Robert Bowen stated that the city had already purchased the cameras and that they do not collect data, are not routinely monitored in real-time, and lack artificial intelligence or facial recognition capabilities. Town Attorney Jason Petri provided a legal opinion to the city council, asserting that the cameras do not violate residents' privacy rights, citing U.S. Supreme Court decisions on the expectation of privacy in public places. The cameras were funded by indu...

ACLU of Rhode Island Criticizes Lack of Transparency in Police Surveillance Camera Data Sharing

ACLU of Rhode Island Criticizes Lack of Transparency in Police Surveillance Camera Data Sharing

The ACLU of Rhode Island has issued a critique regarding the transparency of surveillance camera data sharing among local police departments and agencies, particularly concerning Flock Safety cameras. Despite claims of transparency by Flock Safety and local police, an ACLU investigation revealed a different reality. Many police departments are not posting crucial data on their 'transparency portals,' which are public pages intended to provide statistics on automated license plate reader (ALPR) camera usage. Specifically, at least six municipalities do not list which other police departments or agencies they share information with, and nearly all police departments fail to indicate which agencies they receive surveillance data from. Furthermore, Coventry and the Rhode Island State Police do not provide a public portal at all. The ACLU also noted that Flock Safety has intentionally excluded its online presence from the Internet Archive's Wayback Machine, hindering independent verification of its past operati...