THE GOVERNMENT DOESN'T NEED TO KNOW WHERE YOU GO EVERY DAY
Say NO to Flock Mass Surveillance
Automated License Plate Readers (ALPRs) from troubling companies like Flock Safety are already operating right here in Richfield, taking videos of all vehicles that come into view and logging them into massive nationwide databases. These AI-powered cameras make it possible to track your movements over time even if you haven't been accused of a crime.
ALPRs are nearly impossible to avoid. You've probably been spotted by one today.
In our corner of the metro alone, local law enforcement agencies operate:
- 8 in Richfield
- 22 in Edina
- 2 in Bloomington
- 30 in MinneapolisAnd that doesn't even include the ALPRs in use by churches, HOAs, hospitals, retail establishments - you name it.
This isn't just your Google history coming back to haunt you in a weird Facebook ad. This is a whole new level of surveillance.
Flock Safety uses each and every one of its ALPRs to build a giant network that records people’s comings and goings across the nation. That data is then available for search by any of Flock Safety's law enforcement customers.License plate cameras like Flock don't know your intentions, they only know your movements. A mundane cruise around the neighborhood, trip to a protest, stop at a friend's house in a “high-crime” area, or even a misread plate can flag you as “suspicious.”Just this summer in Plymouth, a man was surrounded by police at a traffic stop after one of these cameras misread his license plate.Flock data can be used by police to find out where a vehicle has been, to identify travel patterns, and to discover vehicles that may be associated with each other.
Altogether, ALPR data can provide an intimate view of a person's life, and there is no guarantee that the information won't be used to target drivers who visit places like certain health centers, immigration clinics, gun shops, protests, or places of worship.11 - Automated License Plate Readers, Street Level Surveillance
Find Flock camera locations near you
Notice that in Edina there are a dozen cameras surrounding the Galleria alone, because of course the government wants to protect property and wealth.
Send an email to the Richfield City Council in less than 60 seconds
Tell our local government to stop tracking our daily movements with ALPR cameras!
COPY THE FOLLOWING TEXT AND PASTE IT INTO THE 'MESSAGE' BOX:
I am a Richfield community member, and I am writing to urgently request your action on the City's use of Flock Safety automated license plate reader (ALPR) cameras. I have three specific requests:1. DO NOT INSTALL any additional Flock Safety cameras or devices in Richfield, effective immediately.
2. DO NOT RENEW any existing contracts with Flock Safety when they come up for renewal.
3. ACTIVELY WORK to cancel the City's current Flock Safety contracts and arrange for the removal of all existing devices.Flock Safety's system conducts mass surveillance of Richfield residents by logging every vehicle's movements without a warrant, without probable cause, and without meaningful public oversight. Research has documented that this technology disproportionately harms Black and brown residents, immigrants, people seeking healthcare, activists, and other vulnerable communities.You have the power to protect Richfield community members and visitors from this extreme overreach of surveillance, and I am asking you to please use your power to do that. Each day these cameras remain active, they collect sensitive data that could be used to violate our rights. Please act now.
News and Updates
8/26/26 - Update about the Aug. 25 Richfield City Council meeting
More than 30 Richfield community members attended the Aug. 25 Richfield City Council meeting to express concerns about the City's use of Flock cameras for law enforcement. Read more...
8/24/26 - Anti-Flock signage removed by Richfield Police, according to Deputy Chief
Richfield Deputy Police Chief Joe Griffin confirmed by email Monday morning that our anti-Flock signage was removed by Richfield police. Read more...
8/22/26 - Origami bird project draws awareness to Richfield Flock cameras
Public art displays totaling more than 1,000 origami birds were installed Friday night at the location of every Flock camera in Richfield. Read more...
More Resources
Want to help us organize in Richfield? Contact us here.
Aug. 26, 2026
Update about the Aug. 25 Richfield City Council meeting
More than 30 Richfield community members attended the Aug. 25 Richfield City Council meeting to express concerns about the City's use of Flock cameras for law enforcement.
Ten of the attendees spoke during the meeting's open forum. Some of the sentiments expressed included:
- Frustration that the City installed the cameras without any public input: "I don't remember being asked if I wanted Flock cameras in my neighborhood."
- Disappointment and anger that the City spent money on surveillance cameras that could have been used to help residents struggling during Operation Metro Surge: "36,000?! You could feed our community for a month. For a month."
- Distrust in the accuracy of the cameras after various news reports of innocent drivers being pulled over or arrested, and fear that the Trump administration could misuse the technology: "You're not doing anything wrong in America until they change the definition of what wrong is."
- Desire for personal privacy, and a feeling that our individual privacy is being chipped away by various technologies: "We don't need another thing in our city ... that is eating into our privacy."
Click here to see the video recording of the meeting. The open forum portion lasted approximately 45 minutes.
A petition being circulated in Richfield opposing the use of Flock cameras and requesting specific answers from City Council had more than 350 signatures as of late Wednesday afternoon.
City Council member Sean Hayford Oleary posted a response on the petition Wednesday afternoon, as well, stating that he has requested future Flock contract renewals come before City Council rather than being handled at the staff level. You can see his response in full here. Stop and sign the petition while you're at it, if you haven't already!
To join the local fight against mass surveillance technology in our city, come to the Human Rights Commission meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 1, at 6:30 p.m. We will be there to voice our concerns!
Aug. 24, 2026
Anti-Flock signage removed by Richfield Police, according to Deputy Chief
Richfield Deputy Police Chief Joe Griffin confirmed by email Monday morning that our anti-Flock signage was removed by Richfield police.
"The signs were removed in accordance with Richfield City Ordinance 549.01," Griffin said in the email. "When these types of signs are removed, they are thrown away. If you have any other questions, feel free to contact me. Thanks."
According to the ordinance referenced by Griffin, portable yard signs advertising businesses would also be prohibited. So why are those still standing near the same locations where our anti-Flock signage was removed?
At best, this is inconsistent policy reinforcement. At worst, the City is selectively removing signage that brings awareness to the very cameras it uses to track its own residents.
Either way, we need you at the August 25 City Council meeting at 7 p.m. at Richfield City Hall to show your support for a city free from mass surveillance!
The images below are photos taken on 8/24/26 of signs that are similar in size and placement to the Deflock Richfield signs that were removed by Richfield police within 12 hours of being placed there.
Aug. 22, 2026
Origami bird displays draw awareness to Richfield Flock cameras
Public art displays totaling more than 1,000 origami birds were installed Friday night at the location of every Flock camera in Richfield.
The birds can be seen attached to holographic ribbon secured to Flock camera poles throughout the City, with signage at each location directing community members to this website.
The art awareness campaign was inspired by the Japanese tradition that says if a person folds 1,000 origami cranes, they will be granted one wish. Our wish is that the City of Richfield refuse to use mass surveillance technology as a tool to solve crimes, because the potential community cost is much greater than the potential community benefit.
Though some of the installations were still in tact at the end of the day Saturday, Aug. 22, community members reported that at least three of them had already been removed by 9 a.m., within eight hours of installation.
The group of residents behind the project and this website are working to determine whether the art and signage were removed by the City of Richfield, or another party.
Join us at a City Council meeting
More than anything, we need people to continue showing up and voicing their concerns and opposition to Flock and other companies operating this technology. You don't have to speak publicly at the meeting for your voice to be heard! Richfield City Council accepts formal public comment via email, voicemail, or virtually if you are unable to speak at the meeting. Click here for instructions on how to leave a public comment using one of the listed alternative methods.
| Date | Time | Meeting Type | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday, Sept. 1 | 6:30 p.m. | Human Rights Commission | Heredia Room, Richfield Municipal Center |
| Tuesday, Sept. 8 | 7 p.m. | City Council | Council Chambers, Richfield Municipal Center |
Documents
Relevant documents will be added here as they become available. Have an idea for a data request? Email us here.
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