by CHRIS ROGERS
Following a public outcry over the use of the surveillance, the city of Winona announced on Wednesday that it will not replace its stolen Flock cameras, saying that although the cameras helped solve crimes and prevent harm, the community’s trust in police was more important. The Winona Police Department (WPD) used these automated license plate reader cameras to monitor all of the highways leading in and out of Winona for stolen vehicles, drivers with revoked licenses, and missing persons. On August 3, the WPD discovered that a vandal or vandals had cut off all eight of the city’s Flock cameras.
Flock cameras and similar systems have been controversial across the country for the potential misuse of the systems by local law enforcement and the potential of data sharing with third-party companies and the federal government. After the WPD cameras were stolen, hundreds of Winonans spoke out on social media over, criticizing the city for using them in the first place, praising the vandals, and urging the city not to replace them.
Over 900 people commented on a WPD post about the theft before the department restricted further comments. “It’s almost like people don’t want to be watched 24/7,” one person wrote. “I need to buy whoever did this a drink,” another stated. “Hopefully it was a sworn officer, realizing that their duty to uphold the constitution necessitated the removal of the devices,” a third commenter quipped.
Flock offers free replacements for cameras damaged or destroyed by vandals, and most cities’ insurance policies would help cover replacement costs, roughly $3,000 a piece.
However, the WPD announced on Wednesday that it would not replace the cameras. In a statement, WPD leaders wrote that “Flock cameras have been an effective and impactful resource for law enforcement,” helping them locate a homicide suspect, find people in crisis to make sure they are safe, track down stolen cars, and solve hit-and-run cases, and that those uses have “been guided by clear policies, appropriate training, and ongoing oversight.”
“At the end of the day, however, our community’s trust is the foundation of effective policing, and we’ve worked hard to build and maintain that trust,” WPD leaders continued. “While Flock has been a valuable tool, we believe its use has contributed to growing concerns about trust in policing, both locally and across the state and nation. After careful consideration, [the] Winona PD has decided not to reinstall any Flock cameras in the city of Winona.”