The Winona Police Department discovered that thieves had stolen all eight of its license plate reader cameras between late July and early August. Officers noticed the system had stopped recording activity and found that the mounting poles at four highway locations had been cut at the base, with the equipment missing. The department now faces approximately $24,000 in replacement costs.
This incident is part of a larger pattern across Minnesota. Similar thefts and vandalism have occurred in Duluth, Plymouth, Edina, Eden Prairie, Minnetonka, and Anoka County. One case in Faribault resulted in an arrest when a suspect allegedly removed a camera and later claimed the devices could track his movements. Authorities recovered the equipment from his garage with the lens covered in tape, suggesting concerns about surveillance drove the theft.
The camera thefts coincide with mounting public scrutiny of Flock Safety’s surveillance network. The company operates approximately 120,000 devices across 6,000 communities in 49 states. While police say the cameras help locate stolen vehicles and find missing people, critics worry that thousands of readers can track individuals’ movements without suspicion of wrongdoing. Recent investigations have documented data being used for immigration enforcement and officers accessing records for personal reasons rather than legitimate investigations.
Public opposition is growing nationwide. Since 2026 began, roughly 23 city councils have cancelled or rejected Flock agreements, including Columbia Heights, Minnesota. Civil liberties organizations are encouraging residents to challenge the technology through public records requests and city council meetings, while Connecticut lawmakers recently asked municipalities to pause new installations pending oversight reviews.
Originally reported by Mashable →
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