Fort Collins officials have removed 15 Flock Safety surveillance cameras from across the city [1].
The move follows a decision by the City Council to prioritize resident privacy over the automated license plate reader technology. This action marks a significant shift in how the city manages public surveillance and data collection in its effort to balance law enforcement needs with civil liberties.
The City Council voted to end the contract with Flock Safety on June 16, 2026 [2]. The decision came amid growing public concerns regarding how the company collects and stores data on vehicles and drivers passing through the city [3].
Following the vote, the 15 cameras were taken down within three weeks [1]. While some initial reports suggested the removal process might be gradual, the city proceeded with the dismantling of the hardware shortly after the contract termination [1].
Fort Collins Police Services previously utilized the cameras to track vehicles and assist in criminal investigations. The removal of these tools means the department will no longer have access to the automated data streams provided by the Flock Safety network [3].
The city's decision to terminate the agreement reflects a broader trend of municipalities reviewing the legality and ethics of third-party surveillance contracts. By removing the hardware, the city has effectively ceased the real-time collection of license plate data that had sparked local debate [3].
“Fort Collins officials have removed 15 Flock Safety surveillance cameras from across the city.”
The removal of these cameras indicates a victory for privacy advocates in Fort Collins and suggests that public pressure can successfully overturn the implementation of high-tech surveillance tools. This shift may lead other Colorado municipalities to re-evaluate their own contracts with surveillance firms as the tension between automated policing and data privacy increases.
