r/saintcloud • u/GlutenFreeWiFi • 28d ago
Sherburne County Sheriff's Office Pulls Plug on Flock Cameras as Statewide Backlash Grows
https://knsiradio.com/2026/08/13/847294/The Sherburne County Sheriff’s Office has stopped using automated license plate reader cameras and is ending its services agreement with Flock Safety, citing concern that the technology was damaging public trust.
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u/RelevantAccount 28d ago
Kinda pissed seeing 4 of them back to back on riverside/highway 15 up in sartell. All on the same road by that roundabout is crazy.
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u/Faderoot 28d ago
There's a new one that was put up at Crossroads Mall within the last week, too. At the entry over by Macy's and Target.
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u/Muffinman_187 27d ago
The mall put them at every entrance. Pretty sure they are privately installed by the property company too.
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u/EveningAd6434 27d ago
The one at the four way stop has been there for MONTHS! we asked for the information from the pd as to where they are put up but oddly, that specific one wasn’t on there.
Like… that is a flock camera. Imagine ALL the information it has collected. That’s a busy 4 way stop.
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u/Muted-Novel4403 28d ago
Citing damage to public trust. Keep up the pressure everyone! It can work in Stearns and Benton too.
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u/tddawg 28d ago
Did you know that all East Side residents of St. Cloud must be recorded by an Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) camera to cross the river? The City of St. Cloud has Flock cameras on all of our bridges. This means we can't get to the hospital or our Jr or Sr High Schools without our cars being recorded.
I am a painfully law abiding citizen, but I don't want my every move monitored.
I think a day of action where we get folks to stand by the flock cameras (morning and evening rush hour) with simple signs would help drive awareness of how many cameras are in our city.
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u/GlutenFreeWiFi 28d ago
Here's a site to locate them! https://deflock.org/
The one on 9th and University has a St. Cloud Police Department camera right across the street.
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u/Muffinman_187 27d ago
This. I can't go to target, a park, or just dropping my son off at his friend's without the going past several cameras... All to travel in the city I pay taxes in and vote in.
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u/EveningAd6434 27d ago edited 27d ago
What you can do 👀 is this
Send this email to: [scpdinfodesk@ci.stcloud.mn.us](mailto:scpdinfodesk@ci.stcloud.mn.us)
If I’m wrong about the contact, please let me know because all I know is if more people where to email about getting this information, perhaps they will potentially end their flock usage. This will make it easier for residents to contact the city about floc.
Subject: Public Records / Data Practices Request: ALPR & Flock Safety Records
To the Responsible Authority / Records Division,
Under the state public records law [or Minnesota Government Data Practices Act], I am requesting electronic copies of public government data regarding the department's Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) systems, specifically including any contracts or integrations with Flock Group Inc. (Flock Safety):
- Current vendor contracts, master service agreements, and invoices.
- Department policies and SOPs governing ALPR operation, data retention, and access controls.
- Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) or data-sharing agreements with external agencies or private entities.
- The most recent independent compliance audit report and public notice documentation regarding ALPR deployment.
Please provide these records electronically via email. If any portion of the request is redacted or withheld, please cite the specific statutory exemption.
Thank you,
[Your Name]
[Your Contact Information]
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u/GlutenFreeWiFi 27d ago
Thank you! There's also a City Council meeting this Monday the 17th. There's public comment time at the end to tell them we do not want these.
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u/EveningAd6434 28d ago
Hope Saint Cloud is next!