Automated license plate readers (ALPRs) are high-speed, computer-controlled camera systems which can be mounted on street poles, streetlights, highway overpasses, mobile trailers, or attached to police squad cars.  ALPRs automatically capture all license plate numbers that come into view, along with location, date, and time.  Depending on image quality, the captured image can also show the color, make, and model of a vehicle, the license plate state, and sometimes drivers and passengers.  This data is then uploaded to a central server.*

Prior to 2026, the City of Muskego had in place 7 of these cameras made by Flock Safety.  However, with the passage of the 2026 budget, two more cameras will be added, thereby bringing the total to 9.

Nationwide, Flock Safety cameras are used in over 6,000 municipalities and by more than 5,000 law enforcement agencies, and the Flock system operates a widespread network providing shared data access across jurisdictions.

Though lauded by police departments as an effective crime-fighting tool, there are growing concerns about the technology’s impact on personal privacy rights, as critics see its potential for misuse as an instrument of mass surveillance.

Several communities have cancelled or paused their Flock contracts over these concerns, including the very affluent Scarsdale NY.  Pending now before the Dane County (WI) Board of Supervisors is a resolution to remove funding from the Sheriff’s Office for use of the Flock APLR system.

To the best of my knowledge, there was no public discussion or input when this technology was first introduced to our city.  I believe that we as a community should seriously consider having this discussion in the very near future.  This discussion should include whether or not we want to continue using this technology, and if so, what policy guardrails should be put in place—enacted by the Common Council—to regulate its use.

SPECIAL NOTE:  I want to be clear that I support most of the funding requests of our police department.  In my responses to the Waukesha Freeman’s Q & A, I consider the staffing needs of the police department to be one of the top 3 budget priorities that we have as a city, and I believe that adding at least 2 full-time officers will help relieve strain on our current operational force.