The City of Manitowoc will not renew its contract with Flock Safety.
Manitowoc Mayor Justin Nichols issued a statement saying that the city has notified the company and asked Flock to remove the cameras installed under their agreement as soon as possible. He said that Flock owned the cameras in the city, which is why they have not been bagged or altered in any way.
Mayor Nichols added that the cameras remain deactivated and that the city did not experience any data selling or tracking concerns reported in other communities. The city’s upcoming budget will also not include funding for Flock or a citywide camera system, but does include “investing in public safety tools from companies that operate in the same broader field as Flock.”
Mayor Nichols added that this does not mean necessarily automated license plate reading cameras, but tools like tasers or parking related technology. Mayor Nichols concluded saying the city “remains committed to transparency, safety and protecting community trust.”
Meanwhile, a Milwaukee County supervisor also wants to sever ties with Flock Safety.
Supervisor Justin Bielinski wants the sheriff’s department to end its contract with the security firm, saying it is not a trustworthy actor. The county currently has the automated cameras in several parks, and Bielinski says residents should not feel worried about having their privacy violated just for enjoying county services.
He would rather have the funding for the cameras go towards other programs like improving lighting, and adding more staff to the parks.