Wellsville, Kansas, Police Department Ends Flock Camera Program After Community Privacy Concerns

The Wellsville, Kansas, Police Department is ending its agreements with Flock Safety following growing community concerns about privacy and the use of license plate-reading cameras.

Police Chief Danny Hackler announced Thursday that the department will terminate all agreements between the city and Flock Safety. The agreements had been in place since October 2023.

“After careful consideration, I have made the decision to terminate all agreements between the City of Wellsville Police Department and Flock Safety,” Hackler said in a statement. He added that the cameras will be covered and staff authorization to use them will be removed.

Hackler also clarified the number of Flock cameras operating in Wellsville. Although the Flock Safety map shows three cameras, he said there are actually two because one camera was moved.

The two cameras are located on First Street just west of Ash Street and at 10th Street and Main Street. The second camera was previously located on K-33.

Flock cameras have been adopted by police departments across the country as a tool for reading license plates and helping investigators track vehicles. However, their use has also prompted concerns about privacy and the potential for expanded surveillance.

Wellsville is not the only Kansas community to reconsider the technology. Earlier this week, the Gardner, Kansas, City Council agreed to turn off its Flock cameras and not renew the city's contract.

Hackler said the decision in Wellsville was made in response to concerns from residents and emphasized that he wanted community members to “feel heard and respected.”

This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting.