WAUPACA – In a memo to the common council, Police Chief Pete Kraeger noted the City of Waupaca will suspend the use of the four Flock cameras located around the city.
Flock cameras, which record license plates and other vehicle details, have grown popular in recent years as a way for police to track vehicles linked to stolen cars, missing persons, and other investigations.
The City of Waupaca is not the only city to suspend its cameras; an increasing number of cities and counties throughout Wisconsin have followed suit, including Waupaca County.
Both the Waupaca Police Department and Waupaca County Sheriff’s Office have cited privacy concerns as their main reason.
The Flock cameras within the city were approved by city council in 2022 and installed in 2023.
The memo states: “The primary concern is the way information collected through the system can potentially be shared outside of our local jurisdiction. We have seen examples in other states where Flock-related law enforcement information has been disclosed in response to public records requests.”
According to the memo, the release of sensitive information about juveniles, victims, or active investigations could jeopardize an ongoing case or put a victim at risk.
The memo further indicated that while the Flock cameras are suspended, the city and county will monitor changes in state law relating to privacy and data concerns involving the surveillance technology.
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