The Vineyard City Council voted Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026, to end the city's participation in the Flock Automated License Plate Recognition (ALPR) program, a decision that will result in the removal of cameras within 30 days. The resolution, requested by Council Member Jacob Wood, marks the latest local action in a broader national movement to terminate contracts with the surveillance technology provider.
Council Vote to Terminate Program
The decision to terminate the Flock program was part of a regular City Council meeting held at 6:00 PM on Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026, at the City Council Chambers in Vineyard. The resolution to end the partnership was requested by Council Member Jacob Wood and was included on the meeting's agenda alongside discussions regarding the city's fleet and various land parcels.
Advocacy Against Surveillance
The Vineyard decision follows a period of sustained advocacy against the technology. The ACLU of Utah has campaigned against the use of the cameras, describing the ALPR technology as "creepy."
National Trend of Cancellations
Vineyard joins a growing number of communities across the United States that have moved to deactivate or cancel their Flock contracts. According to a tracker maintained by Secure Justice, 341 U.S. communities have taken action against the company by canceling contracts, rejecting proposals, or banning the technology entirely.
Reasons for National Terminations
The national landscape shows a diverse range of reasons for ending Flock partnerships. Among the 341 documented actions are 185 contract cancellations, 68 suspensions, and 31 rejected proposals. Motivating these decisions are various factors including community pushback, privacy concerns, and data-sharing issues. For example, in Lafayette, Colorado, the city council unanimously voted to remove the program on Oct. 20, 2026, following a resident-led campaign centered on privacy and data-sharing concerns.
Regional Precedents
Other municipalities have cited different drivers for ending surveillance programs. In New Bedford, Massachusetts, the City Council approved an ALPR Ban Ordinance on Oct. 22, 2026, after discovering officer misconduct. In Wisconsin, the city of Sheboygan voted to terminate its agreement on Sept. 8, 2026, after reports indicated Flock offered to sell anonymized traffic and speed data to public works, which police said breached their agreement.
Next Steps for Vineyard
As of the vote on Oct. 27, 2026, the Vineyard Sheriff's office is tasked with removing the cameras within a 30-day window. The city's action reflects a growing tension between law enforcement technology and community concerns over surveillance and data privacy.
Ongoing Debate Over ALPRs
The Vineyard City Council's decision comes as various state and local entities continue to evaluate the costs and benefits of automated license plate readers. While some jurisdictions maintain these programs for law enforcement, others are opting for deactivation due to concerns over public trust and data security.
