Sheboygan could become the latest Wisconsin community to cut ties with Flock Safety. Wisconsin Watch reported that the police chief and city administrator plan to ask the common council to terminate the police department's contract, and that the council could vote at a Sept. 8 meeting. For background on how these readers work, see how plate readers work.
What is Sheboygan deciding?
The council could vote to terminate the contract on Sept. 8. Mayor Ryan Sorenson said public works staff have already wrapped the cameras in plastic ahead of that meeting. Sorenson supports the police chief's and city administrator's decision.
The city has used automated license plate reader technology for more than 10 years. Fifteen Flock Safety cameras have been in use since 2024, according to an Aug. 25 city statement.
Why is the city ending the contract?
The police department says it became aware last month of actions by Flock Safety that it believes are inconsistent with the contract, which "undermine trust in the services provided." The statement says the department confirmed those circumstances before deciding to ask for termination.
Sorenson said the decision comes mostly from "an erosion of trust from Flock itself and how they were using our data." Council president Susie Boorse said she has concerns about how the data is used. "We just can't be too careful," she said.
The city's statement also said the technology has helped solve several serious criminal cases. Police Chief Kurt Zempel said strong internal controls and community trust are "vital."
What changes for drivers?
If the council votes to end the contract, the police department's Flock contract would end. Wisconsin Watch does not say when the 15 cameras would be taken down or what would replace them.
The Sept. 8 vote covers only Sheboygan police's contract. Wisconsin Watch does not say whether any other agency's cameras in the city are affected. The outlet also notes that the data from these cameras can be accessed by other law enforcement agencies.
Wisconsin Watch says officials in places like Oshkosh, Sturgeon Bay, Appleton, Verona and Dane County have already cut ties with Flock. In Brookfield, Ald. Catherine Kahler has asked the city to review its Flock use before the current agreement automatically renews in July 2027.
Check the camera map to see which readers are mapped near you. The next date in the article is the council's Sept. 8 meeting.