Dane County votes to defund its Flock ALPR system
On April 16, 2026, the Dane County (WI) Board of Supervisors approved resolution 2025 RES-403, amending the 2026 budget to remove the $80,000 funding for the Sheriff's Office Flock automated license plate reader system and prohibiting further spending on it. Supervisors cited Fourth Amendment concerns and Flock's data-sharing practices, noting the Sheriff's Office could not confirm that Flock or partner agencies were not misusing the data. Board Chair Patrick Miles said the county remained open to vendors with stronger privacy safeguards. The decision meant the existing subscription, which ran through May 31, 2026, would not be renewed.
Michigan connection
Dane County's 24 Flock cameras shared access with more than 140 law enforcement agencies across multiple states, including Michigan. Data collected in Wisconsin was flowing to Michigan agencies, showing the ALPR network's reach extends directly into our state.