Custer County Sheriff’s Office Ends Contract With Flock Safety Amid Privacy Concerns
The Custer County Sheriff's Office has ended its contract with Flock Safety, removing the automated license plate reader cameras following privacy concerns and public requests. This follows a similar decision by the El Paso County Sheriff's Office and comes after…
Denver, CO, October 7, 2026 — The Custer County Sheriff’s Office has terminated its contract for automated license plate reader (ALPR) cameras provided by Flock Safety, citing privacy concerns and public feedback. The removal of these cameras marks a significant shift in the county’s surveillance capabilities and follows a growing trend of law enforcement agencies re-evaluating their use of such technology.
Officials in Custer County confirmed the decision to end the contract with Flock Safety, leading to the deactivation and removal of the ALPR cameras. The move comes in response to public requests and expressed concerns regarding the privacy implications associated with widespread ALPR surveillance.
This development in Custer County mirrors a similar decision made by the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office, which also recently ended its contract with Flock Safety. The sheriff’s office in El Paso County cited privacy issues as a primary driver for their decision to cease using the ALPR technology.
The Flock Safety cameras have been instrumental in assisting law enforcement in various investigations. The trend summary notes that these cameras were utilized in several serious investigations prior to the contract termination in Custer County. However, specific details regarding the nature of these investigations or the outcomes of their use were not provided.
The discontinuation of the Flock Safety contract by the Custer County Sheriff’s Office highlights ongoing public debate and scrutiny surrounding the use of ALPR technology by law enforcement. While ALPR systems are designed to help identify vehicles associated with crimes, track suspect movements, and aid in recovery of stolen property, they also raise significant questions about data storage, access, and the potential for misuse or surveillance creep. The contractor’s name for the ALPR system was Flock Safety, and the specific timeline for the removal of the cameras was not provided.
Story summarized from the original created by Tony Keith on www.denver7.com, see more information here.
