Crystal Police Department Cancels Flock Safety Camera Contract Amid Community Concerns
The Crystal Police Department has canceled its contract with Flock Safety and removed its automatic license plate reader (ALPR) cameras. This decision was made after community members raised concerns, making Crystal the latest city in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area to…
Minneapolis St. Paul, MN, September 9, 2026 —
The Crystal Police Department has officially canceled its contract with Flock Safety, leading to the removal of all automatic license plate reader (ALPR) cameras operated by the company within the city. The decision was announced following concerns raised by community members.
This action by the Crystal Police Department places it among other municipalities in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area that have recently decided to discontinue the use of Flock cameras. The trend indicates a growing scrutiny of ALPR technology and its deployment by local law enforcement agencies.
Specific details regarding the timeline of the contract cancellation, the exact nature of the community concerns that prompted the decision, and any potential financial implications or resolutions resulting from the contract termination were not immediately provided.
Flock Safety cameras are designed to capture license plates of passing vehicles and are often used by law enforcement agencies to aid in investigations, track stolen vehicles, and identify suspects. However, their use has faced increasing public debate in various communities regarding privacy, data security, and the potential for misuse.
The trend of cities reassessing their use of Flock Safety technology highlights an ongoing discussion about the balance between public safety initiatives and individual privacy rights. Crystal’s decision follows a pattern observed in neighboring areas, suggesting a broader shift in how ALPR systems are being evaluated and implemented.
Story summarized from the original created by Ryan Pattee on kstp.com, see more information here.
