El Paso County, Colorado – In a press release issued Tuesday, Sheriff Joseph Roybal said the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office (EPSO) is terminating its contract with Flock Safety, the company that provides automatic license plate reader (ALPR) cameras, effective immediately. The sheriff’s office will send Flock a notice of non‑renewal and has requested that the vendor retrieve all installed equipment.
Reasoning behind the decision
“Our responsibility is to protect our community, foster public trust and serve the people,” Roybal wrote. “After careful consideration, I believe discontinuing our use of Flock cameras is the right decision for El Paso County and our citizens.”
The sheriff acknowledged that while EPSO was confident in its policies and procedures for handling the technology and the data it collects, growing concerns about the future of the program and anticipated changes to Colorado legislation prompted the move.
Recent incidents and community concerns
KRDO13 previously reported multiple incidents of damage to Flock cameras across the county, some of which were under active investigation by EPSO at the time. The damage, combined with a broader wave of public scrutiny over ALPR technology, contributed to the decision.
Other Colorado jurisdictions have taken similar steps. The police department in Salida cancelled its Flock contract after residents voiced concerns, and a recent rally in Pueblo highlighted a national week of action against ALPR systems, with participants urging municipalities to reconsider widespread surveillance.
What’s next for EPSO?
KRDO13 has reached out to the sheriff’s office to determine whether EPSO will adopt a new ALPR provider or discontinue the use of ALPR cameras altogether. No replacement vendor has been announced at this time.
Local officials emphasized that the decision aligns with a commitment to transparency and community trust. By ending the contract, the sheriff’s office aims to address resident worries while staying prepared for any legislative shifts that could affect the deployment of surveillance technology.
Community reaction
Residents who have expressed unease about the presence of ALPR cameras welcomed the move, noting that the technology raises privacy questions and can be perceived as intrusive. Others, however, pointed out that ALPR systems have been useful for law‑enforcement investigations and public safety.
Regardless of differing opinions, the sheriff’s office stressed that public safety remains a top priority and that any future technology decisions will be made with extensive community input.
Background on ALPR technology
Automatic license plate readers, often referred to by the brand name Flock, capture images of vehicle plates and use software to compare them against databases for stolen vehicles, wanted persons, or other law‑enforcement alerts. While proponents argue the tools aid in crime prevention, critics contend they can erode privacy and enable unwarranted tracking of law‑abiding citizens.
The ongoing debate in Colorado reflects a broader national conversation about balancing security needs with constitutional protections for privacy and liberty.
Original reporting: KRDO (Colorado Springs metro) — read the source article.
