Flock Safety

The city of Coralville has terminated its contract with Flock Safety, a nationwide vendor of Automated License Plate Readers. Many Coralville residents are opposed to the technology and say they are relieved by the council’s recent actions but troubled by a lack of clarity on when the city’s two readers will be taken down.

The City of Coralville is considering revisiting its contract with Flock Safety, a company that operates controversial Automated License Plate Readers in the area. It comes after the city received a letter from the Iowa Attorney General’s Office that states part of its policy prohibiting the cameras from being used for immigration enforcement does not comply with state law.

Community members in eastern Iowa are bringing attention to a new surveillance technology that’s been quietly rolled out across the state. It’s a tool that helps law enforcement agencies track vehicles across multiple jurisdictions. While some say it helps reduce crime, there are growing concerns that it might be used with other motives in mind.