Salida police ends Flock Safety contract after community pushback

15 August 2026.

Salida Police Department terminated its contract with Flock Safety following community opposition to the automated license plate reader system. The decision marks a reversal from the department's earlier adoption of the technology, which had generated public debate over privacy and surveillance concerns. Community members had raised objections during the contract period, citing worries about data retention, access controls, and the scope of monitoring in the jurisdiction. The cancellation reflects growing scrutiny of ALPR deployments nationwide, as residents increasingly question how such systems operate and who can access the recorded data. Police departments considering similar contracts face similar community pushback, particularly regarding transparency about camera locations, footage retention policies, and which agencies can query the system. Residents in other Colorado communities can review their local police department's records requests and city council minutes to determine whether ALPR contracts are under consideration or already in place.

Read the original reporting: KOAA News 5.