The Waukee Police Department in Iowa said it will not renew the city's contract with Flock Safety, pausing use of automated license plate readers as people keep bringing privacy concerns to lawmakers, according to KCCI.
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KCCI reported that Waukee plans to let its Flock Safety contract expire and keep its automated license plate reader program suspended until Iowa's 2027 legislative session, when ALPR legislation will be considered.
In a department statement, Police Chief Chad McCluskey said, "We made this decision after listening closely to concerns raised by ongoing national discussions — primarily concerns centered on privacy and data retention issues."
"We believe the right path forward is to let the legislative process set clear, statewide standards before we continue our program," McCluskey added.
The move follows rising resistance to AI-powered camera networks in central Iowa and across the country. KCCI reported that several systems in the region have been vandalized or destroyed. Critics say the cameras are invasive and have cited instances in which Flock's technology got things wrong.
At the same time, the department said in its statement that the cameras had played a role in multiple investigations. But according to DeFlock, these cameras don't reduce crime, and they often show up in areas with more Black and brown people.
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More background
Automated license plate reader systems are designed to capture plate numbers and other vehicle details, allowing law enforcement to search for cars tied to crimes or missing persons.
But opponents have raised concerns about data privacy and if this creates a system where people feel as though they are guilty until proven innocent.
The Institute of Justice has also tracked over 100 cases where police officers have abused automated license plate readers. Over half of the known cases have taken place this year.
As for Waukee, the police department is waiting for Iowa to determine what statewide rules should govern its use.
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