Franklin County votes not to renew Flock contract

28 August 2026.

Franklin County commissioners voted unanimously on August 26, 2026, to not renew their contract with Flock Safety, an automated license plate reader system. The decision came ahead of the contract's scheduled renewal in approximately 30 days, driven by mounting public concern over surveillance capabilities and data security practices.

Chairman Dean Horst cited eroding public trust as the primary reason for the early action, noting that local controversy over the technology had grown significantly. During recent commissioners' meetings, residents raised concerns that Flock's database could enable surveillance without judicial oversight. Although Sheriff Ben Sites and District Attorney Ian Brink had presented details about their operational use of the system one week prior, public speakers questioned the company's data security measures.

Commissioners called on state and federal legislators to establish regulatory safeguards for data collected by such systems, rather than leaving decisions to individual municipalities and counties. Commissioner John Flannery expressed that the technology's capabilities concerned him, though he stated he would support license plate readers without searchable databases. Commissioner Bob Ziobrowski, citing potential legal liability for taxpayers, advocated for restrictions comparable to those governing health information under HIPAA.

The contract, approved in October 2025, cost $4,500. Austin McDannell, a leader of the local citizens' group DeFlock Franklin County, praised the commissioners' decision and noted that if the sheriff's office wished to continue using the technology, it could fund the system independently.

Readers in their own communities can check whether their local government has similar contracts with Flock Safety or other automated license plate reader providers.

Read the original reporting: Waynesboro Record Herald.

Related record: Austin, Texas in the jurisdictions directory.