The fight over Flock cameras could head to St. Paul

The fight over Flock cameras could be moving to Minnesota's Capitol City. 

The automatic license plate-reading cameras continue to spark debate across Minnesota, with some cities cutting ties with the technology, as other cities deal with vandals taking matters into their own hands. 

Saturday, Eyes Off Saint Paul, a group of concerned citizens, gathered at Mattocks Park, worked to make sure residents understand what Flock cameras collect.

The technology recently came under criticism because of concerns about privacy and its possible use in immigration enforcement.

"The first step is to cancel the contract," said group member Anna. "The second ask is to put in an ordinance or some sort of regulation that would prevent this technology from resurfacing again."

Ramsey County Sheriff Bob Fletcher says the county has 35 cameras and considers them an important public safety tool.

"If Flock [is] eliminated, St. Paul will become a much more dangerous place," Fletcher said on his latest "Live on Patrol" stream. 

Fletcher says the technology is the reason auto thefts are down 74% in the last three years. He wants people to know that they do not allow people to search their systems and never work with the federal government. 

"We don't use it to violate people's privacy," he said. "We use it to catch criminals in the act of committing crimes in Ramsey County.

St. Paul City Council President Rebecca Noecker has also voiced concerns via Facebook about the technology saying data should not be for sale.

"That's why I will be authoring a resolution calling on the administration and our county partners to end our contracts with Flock, because our communities need investment, not surveillance," Noecker said. We reached out to Noecker for comment ahead of the council meeting, but have not heard back. 

St. Paul City Council will hold a special meeting, giving residents a chance to weigh in on Flock cameras, on Wednesday.

Several cities have canceled their flock contract with the latest being West St. Paul.

Winona decided not to replace their cameras after several were stolen. Earlier this year, Columbia Heights put bags over some of their cameras while expressing concerns over privacy.