Fayetteville PD reviews Flock camera contract renewal

27 August 2026.

Fort Smith Police Chief Danny Baker announced policy changes to the department's Flock camera system on August 27, addressing community concerns about the automated license plate reader technology. The changes include restricting data access to Fort Smith Police only, preventing other law enforcement agencies from viewing Flock camera data, and reducing license plate data retention from 30 days to seven days.

The department stated that concerns raised by community members prompted these modifications. Baker acknowledged both the public safety value of ALPR technology in investigating serious crimes and the legitimacy of community concerns about surveillance, emphasizing that useful tools require strict limits, careful oversight, and public review.

The announcement follows the department's earlier decision to pause new camera purchases while developing updated policies. Several Arkansas municipalities have already ended their Flock contracts, including Centerton, Farmington, Greers Ferry, Mayflower, and Pea Ridge. National concerns about ALPR systems have centered on mass surveillance risks, potential for warrantless searches, data sharing practices, and misuse by individual officers or agencies.

Residents in other communities can review their local police department's ALPR policies and any public records related to camera contracts to understand what data retention periods and access restrictions are in place.

Read the original reporting: Talk Business & Politics.