University of Minnesota to remove recently installed Flock camera on the West Bank
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The University of Minnesota plans to remove a Flock camera recently installed in Minneapolis' West Bank neighborhood following pushback from a DFL lawmaker and community members, Axios has learned.
The big picture: The reversal is the latest example of growing local backlash against automated license plate readers (ALPR) over privacy and surveillance concerns.
Driving the news: The U told Axios on Friday that its police department determined that removing the camera "was the appropriate step to support community trust while maintaining robust safety coverage."
State of play: The U declined to identify the location of the camera in question, but state Rep. Mohamud Noor (DFL-Minneapolis) told Axios that it is near the intersection of Cedar and Riverside avenues.
Friction point: Noor, who represents the area, said he pressed U leaders for more information on the off-campus camera shortly after it was installed in late August.
- He told Axios that the location raised "lots of red flags" about privacy and surveillance in a neighborhood that is home to both a sizable immigrant population and gathering spots for local activists.
What they're saying: "There's nothing good about Flock cameras … given that we don't know who gets access to what, and how the information is used," Noor said, citing concerns about ICE and other entities accessing data captured by cameras in other places.
The other side: The U says it "uses Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) technology for limited public safety purposes only, and is strongly committed to responsible use of this technology in strict accordance with Minnesota law."
- Its statement, provided to Axios in response to a detailed list of questions, said the devices have helped law enforcement respond to incidents in real time, recover stolen vehicles, locate missing persons and track down suspects in violent crimes.
"Leveraging this technology has also allowed officers to intercept criminal activity before it escalates," the statement said.
Zoom in: The U says the license plate and vehicle data collected is "owned exclusively" by the University of Minnesota Police Department and shared with other law enforcement agencies only after thorough review.
- Department policy "prohibits the technology's use for immigration enforcement and does not grant data access to agencies" with formal partnerships with ICE.
Zoom out: The device slated for removal is one of at least 10 ALPR cameras operated by the U, per a list published by the state Department of Public Safety.
- Noor said he is aware of at least one other in the West Bank neighborhood — located farther east on Riverside.
What we're watching: Noor said he still has concerns about both data privacy and the U's refusal to disclose the locations of its cameras.
- "I told them they need to be more transparent with the public," he said.
What's next: The U says it plans to remove the camera within the next week.
- Noor said he expects to push statewide legislation on the use of Flock cameras when the Legislature returns.
Several Minneapolis council members are also preparing a resolution calling on the U and Hennepin County Sheriff to terminate their Flock contracts, Council Member Jason Chavez wrote in his newsletter Friday.