The Sheboygan Common Council on Tuesday night approved a resolution to end the city’s contract with Flock Safety. The action was taken after learning about an email from a Flock Safety representative who was trying to sell private data received from the City’s 15 Flock Cameras to the Sheboygan Department of Public Works. According to the City’s agreement with Flock Safety, the company does not own the data collected through the cameras, and was only supposed to keep the data collected for 30 days.
Police Chief Kurt Zempel explained to the Council that while the Flock Safety cameras had aided police by providing leads which have helped to solve crimes, trust was a bigger factor, and he believed the actions by the company violated the city’s master agreement and trust with Flock Safety.
Zempel told the Council “I believe overall, our community is less safe if police do not have access to such technologies, but that access has to be consistent with our community’s expectations, and in a way that builds trust and legitimacy. That means we have to rely on our technology partners to behave in ways that support community trust, as well.”
Zemple recommended the council terminate the company’s contract immediately. The Council agreed, unanimously voting to end the contract effective December 31st , rescind any appropriations for the company in the 2027 budget, and to keep the cameras covered until the contract has ended.
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