MINNEAPOLIMEDIA NEWS UPDATE | Saint Paul to Remove Two City-Owned Flock Cameras Following Unanimous Council Resolution

SAINT PAUL, MN (August 27, 2026) Saint Paul will remove its two city-owned Flock license-plate cameras following a unanimous City Council resolution calling for the city and Ramsey County to end their contracts with the surveillance-technology company.

Mayor Kaohly Her and Police Chief Axel Henry announced the removal in a joint statement following Wednesday’s council vote.

The officials said they shared concerns raised by residents about outside law-enforcement agencies gaining access to Saint Paul data during Operation Metro Surge. They also called for statewide standards balancing privacy protections with public-safety needs.

The council resolution is a formal statement of policy but is not itself an ordinance banning automated license-plate readers.

It also cannot require Ramsey County Sheriff Bob Fletcher to remove cameras controlled by his office.

Saint Paul owns two fixed Flock cameras. The Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office operates 11 additional Flock cameras within the city, according to records previously reviewed by MinneapoliMedia.

Fletcher has defended the county’s continued use of the system, saying it assists investigations involving carjackings, stolen vehicles and violent crimes.

The council’s resolution asks the Saint Paul administration to report within 60 days on its progress in ending the city’s relationship with Flock.

Several council members also indicated interest in considering a broader ordinance governing surveillance technologies that use artificial intelligence or permit information sharing among law-enforcement agencies.

During a public hearing after the vote, residents raised concerns involving data retention, warrantless searches, federal immigration enforcement and the potential use of surveillance technology against protesters and other constitutionally protected activities.

City officials have not accused Saint Paul employees of misusing the system. The debate has focused largely on the reach of Flock’s national information network and whether data collected locally can remain adequately protected once shared with other agencies.

MinneapoliMedia reported August 21 that Council President Rebecca Noecker was preparing the resolution and that Fletcher opposed ending the county’s use of the cameras.

Wednesday’s unanimous vote and the mayor’s commitment to remove the city-owned equipment are the latest developments.

The county-operated cameras are expected to remain in service unless the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office or another authority takes separate action.

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