Chesterton, Indiana, will disconnect its Flock Safety license plate reader cameras by October 31. This decision comes after an internal audit by Police Chief Tim Richardson into officers' use of the system and the appointment of a special prosecutor to investigate potential data misuse.
The Chesterton Town Council voted 5-0 to terminate the contract, as the Post-Tribune reported. This action directly resulted from an investigation into former Chesterton Cpl. Christopher Schoof, who resigned on August 27. Schoof was confronted with evidence suggesting he misused data collected from the Flock camera system in 2024 and 2025 while serving as a detective. The internal investigation found an excessive number of inquiries for specific license plate numbers.
What does this mean for drivers in Chesterton?
For drivers traveling through Chesterton, the removal of these cameras means fewer points of automated license plate data collection. By October 31, the Flock Safety cameras previously used by the Chesterton Police Department will no longer be active. This change directly impacts where your vehicle's movements might be recorded by this specific type of surveillance technology.
This move by Chesterton is not an isolated incident. Similar concerns about police misuse of license plate reader data have emerged in nearby departments:
- Porter County Sheriff’s Department: A deputy was placed on unpaid leave, and a special prosecutor is now involved in a similar case of alleged data misuse.
- Michigan City Police Department: An officer resigned after misusing data from Flock cameras, just days after the department discussed expanding its use of the technology.
Chesterton Town Council President Erin Collins acknowledged the value of the camera system for law enforcement but stressed the need for stronger safeguards. Collins stated that public safety and personal privacy are not mutually exclusive. She called for better access controls, meaningful oversight, and improved documentation for the system. Collins also suggested that technological measures should prevent unauthorized searches or flag them in real-time.
Will Chesterton bring back license plate readers?
It is possible Chesterton could reintroduce license plate readers in the future, but only if significant changes are made. Council President Collins indicated that additional safeguards must be implemented before the technology is reconsidered for use in the community. For now, Police Chief Richardson will be the sole individual with access to the system while he completes his internal audit. This audit aims to determine if other officers misused the system. Drivers can stay informed about the presence of such cameras by checking our /map.
The situation in Chesterton highlights ongoing discussions about how such surveillance tools are managed. The town council's decision emphasizes a demand for greater accountability and privacy protections when these systems are deployed. The removal of the cameras is a direct response to identified misuse, with any future reintroduction contingent on enhanced oversight and technological improvements to prevent similar incidents.
There is no set date for when or if Chesterton might reconsider using license plate reader cameras again. The immediate next step is Chief Richardson's ongoing internal audit, which is expected to conclude before the end of the year.