St. Paul to remove Flock cameras after residents raise privacy concerns

27 August 2026.

St. Paul city officials announced the removal of two Flock Safety license plate reader cameras following weeks of resident opposition centered on privacy and data protection concerns. The decision came after a Wednesday evening city council meeting dedicated to discussing both the Flock cameras and police drone use. Law enforcement had deployed the cameras to assist in crime investigation and response, but residents organized to raise awareness about surveillance implications and potential constitutional issues related to the technology's operation. Mayor Kaohly Her and the police chief announced the removal, with city leaders indicating they would call on state lawmakers to develop standards that address both privacy protections and public safety considerations. The council did not announce modifications to the police department's drone program during the meeting. Readers can check whether their own municipality has active Flock camera contracts or has considered removing them.

Read the original reporting: CBS News.