Minneapolis St. Paul, MN, August 13, 2026 —

Sherburne County has ceased its use of Flock license plate reader (LPR) cameras, citing public concerns regarding the deployment and utilization of the collected data. The decision comes as officials aim to maintain community trust.

In a statement, the Sherburne County Sheriff’s Office indicated that the program’s continuation was at odds with their commitment to the public. The Sheriff’s Office emphasized that preserving the trust of the community is a paramount concern and that the agency does not wish to undermine this relationship.

The specifics of the public concerns, such as the exact nature of the data usage questions or the timeline of when these concerns were raised, were not detailed. Flock Group, the company providing the LPR technology, offers devices that capture images of license plates and vehicle data. These systems are often used by law enforcement agencies for various investigative purposes, including locating stolen vehicles and identifying suspects in criminal investigations.

The discontinuation of the Flock LPR program in Sherburne County highlights a growing dialogue across the nation regarding the privacy implications of widespread surveillance technologies. While LPRs can be valuable tools for public safety, their implementation often raises questions about data storage, access, and potential misuse. The Sheriff’s Office’s decision reflects a responsiveness to these evolving community discussions and a proactive approach to addressing potential erosion of trust.

The contractor’s name, beyond Flock Group, was not provided. The exact duration for which the Flock cameras were in use by Sherburne County was not specified. Further details regarding the process that led to this decision, including any formal reviews or community feedback mechanisms employed, were not immediately available.


Story summarized from the original created by Sabrina Salguero Del Cid on kstp.com, see more information here.

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