Josephine County Sheriff cancels Flock camera contract

12 August 2026. [AI first draft. Verify every fact against the source before publishing.]

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office canceled its contract with Flock Safety, a provider of automated license plate reader cameras, effective immediately on August 12, 2026, according to a statement from Sheriff Dave Daniel. The office had operated a 10-camera system intended to identify stolen vehicles, locate missing or wanted individuals, and support criminal investigations.

The cancellation followed months of equipment vandalism and sustained public opposition centered on Fourth Amendment concerns regarding unreasonable searches and seizures. Daniel acknowledged in his statement that while the technology had assisted in solving crimes, the community had made clear its unwillingness to accept ALPR deployment. Some equipment remains in rural areas but is no longer operational; the timeline for removal is unknown.

This decision reflects a broader shift in Oregon law enforcement adoption of Flock systems. The city of Talent paused its Flock camera program in December 2025, and Woodburn removed its cameras in May 2026. Other agencies, including Medford Police Department, have continued defending their use of the surveillance technology. U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, in an October 2025 letter to Flock CEO Garrett Langley, recommended that local officials remove Flock systems to protect constituents from potential surveillance abuses.

The cancellation enables residents to request public records documenting the sheriff's office procurement decision, equipment maintenance logs, and any data retention policies associated with the Flock contract. Josephine County citizens can also review their sheriff's website and county commission agendas for any formal contract termination documentation or future surveillance technology proposals.

Read the original reporting: Rogue Valley Times.