Wisconsin voters are expressing strong concerns about the use of automated license‑plate readers (ALPRs) operated by Flock Safety. A Marquette University poll conducted Sept. 16‑23 surveyed 843 registered voters across the state and found that 63% believe the cameras constitute an unacceptable violation of privacy rights, compared with 37% who view the technology as an important tool for police investigations.
Poll methodology and key findings
The poll, which carries a margin of error of ±4.3 percentage points for the full sample and ±4.8 points for likely voters (692 respondents), asked participants whether they considered the deployment of 120,000 Flock cameras – which track vehicle movements and store images for AI‑driven searches – to be a privacy threat. The clear majority answered “unacceptable.”
Local officials and advocacy groups push back
Following the poll, the American Civil Liberties Union of Wisconsin and 44 partner organizations sent a letter to the city of Milwaukee urging officials to terminate the Flock contract. The letter calls for a community‑controlled surveillance framework with full transparency, warning that the cameras enable a “dragnet, warrantless collection of likely millions of images” of people traveling to work, church, union meetings, medical appointments and protests.
Milwaukee Police have been accused of misusing the system, and the letter raises concerns that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement may have accessed the data. The groups argue that ALPRs allow the government to reconstruct individuals’ movement patterns and associations, creating risks that extend far beyond the original public‑safety purpose.
Other Wisconsin communities act
Racine County Sheriff Christopher Schmaling recently disclosed that his department had an understanding that camera data would be retained for only 30 days and used solely for public‑safety investigations. “This is not what we agreed to, and it is not what the public was led to believe,” Schmaling said, adding that the sheriff’s office will not participate in a system that appears to use public safety as a pretext for mass surveillance and the monetization of innocent citizens’ information.
Several other municipalities in Wisconsin have already ended contracts with Flock over similar privacy concerns, signaling a growing statewide pushback against the technology.
Legislative response
State Rep. Calvin Callahan, R‑Tomahawk and chair of the Assembly Committee on Consumer Protection, announced plans to hold a hearing on surveillance cameras once the new legislative session begins in January. Callahan, who previously sponsored a bill granting Flock camera grants, said the technology “has rapidly evolved into something far more invasive and sometimes out of control, with reports of misuse, mistaken stops, and access to data that should concern every Wisconsinite.”
The upcoming hearing is expected to examine the balance between public‑safety benefits and constitutional privacy protections, a debate that resonates with many Wisconsinites who value both safety and individual liberty.
What this means for residents
For everyday Wisconsinites, the poll underscores a growing unease about surveillance that extends beyond law‑enforcement needs. While some argue that ALPRs help solve crimes and deter illegal activity, the majority of respondents appear to prioritize the protection of privacy and the prevention of unwarranted data collection.
Community leaders, faith‑based groups, and families are likely to continue advocating for stricter oversight, limited data retention, and transparent policies that respect constitutional rights. As the state legislature prepares to address the issue, Wisconsin residents can expect further public discussion and potential regulatory action aimed at safeguarding personal freedoms while still supporting legitimate public‑safety efforts.
Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.
