Plymouth Police Chief Physically Unplugs Flock Cameras After Contract Cancellation

Plymouth City Council unanimously voted to end its Flock contract in September 2026, but Flock did not remove cameras installed around the city. After the company did not respond to cancellation demands for more than a week, Plymouth Police Chief Eric Fadden directed staff to disconnect the cameras' power cords. The city says the step was meant to ensure the cameras are not functioning or recording license plates.

Contract cancellation and camera shutdown

The city informed Flock immediately about the cancellation. Fadden told The Drive that Plymouth user Flock accounts were suspended on the morning of Sept. 23, and Flock Safety was notified of the council's decision. A formal letter of cancellation was sent by US Mail and email after consulting the City Attorney's Office. Fadden said the city heard no reply from Flock Safety Corporate or Legal, other than some communication with its local representative. After hearing nothing for more than a week, he directed staff to disconnect the power cords from the cameras.

Other Flock controversies

Flock has faced multiple controversies in recent months. These include the arrest of officers for misusing the system and the mistaken 'ambush' of a car reviewer by Plymouth City Police in Minnesota over an administrative error made in California. There have also been reports that police have pulled motorists over because an AI algorithm deemed their travel history 'suspicious.' In Dayton, Minnesota, located 10 miles north of Plymouth, police paused the Flock program and disabled two devices. Dayton police became aware that the company intended to replace those cameras and told Flock not to proceed, but the company moved forward with the replacement anyway.

How Flock cameras work and privacy concerns

There are over 300,000 Flock cameras installed nationwide, and the network's widespread coverage makes it effective at tracking vehicles. Although the cameras are marketed as automated license plate readers, Flock's system goes beyond reading plates and uses AI to identify vehicles using other markings such as stickers, paint color, and the vehicle's make and model. Critics have asked city councils to remove the cameras, citing privacy concerns. Flock has remained silent on demands for removal, while such moves would reduce its coverage area and cost labor, whereas keeping cameras in place likely costs the company nothing.

Sources: Tom's Hardware