Hunter
11/10/26
The City of Cedar Rapids announced they will not renew their contract with Flock license plate reader cameras.
The Gazette reports City Manager Jeff Pomeranz confirmed the change in an email to City Council members where he stated the city will instead contract with Axon Enterprises for future automated license plate reader use. The current Flock contract ends February 9th.
Pomeranz says the Axon system integrates with other police department technologies including their body-worn cameras and in-car systems Cedar Rapids is working to acquire as part of a previously approved contract.
Flock has fallen out of favor after nationwide reports of system errors, privacy violations and officer misconduct at certain agencies.
There are currently 70 Flock cameras around the city. Although it’s not known how many Axon cameras will be in use after the transition, the city says the number will not increase.
Last month, the city of North Liberty announced they would be canceling their Flock contract when it comes up for renewal by not allocating funds for it in the city budget.
In February, the Coralville city council voted to remove the cameras after the Iowa Attorney General’s Office sent a letter asking leaders to adjust the rules on who could access the camera’s data so that it could be used by Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The council canceled the contract rather than allow the data to be used for purposes other than those for which they were purchased.