Flock Surveillance Cameras and Budget Funding
Summary
Speakers warned that Flock license-plate cameras could be weaponized by ICE under Indiana's new immigration law (SB 76) and police-militarization law (HB 1343). Council Vice President Allen said she's researching whether state law could force the city's camera data to be shared.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 7
- Last 30 days
- 3
Rising — discussed at 4 meetings since Sep 28, 2026, up from 1 in the two months before.
Impact analysis
The 2027 budget proposal reportedly includes about $265,000 for surveillance contracts, up from $142,500 this year — the money speakers want redirected.
Immigrant neighbors and privacy advocates benefit from stricter limits on camera data use.
Immigrant residents could be targeted if camera data is accessed for enforcement.
Mentions & discussions (7)
Data Center Research Committee - Oct 27, 2026
The committee is wrestling with how to hear from the public: emails going to spam, an evening comment meeting that may outgrow the room, and a tradeoff between live-streaming and a bigger venue. Members also committed to acknowledging every emailed comment.
City Council Meeting - Oct 26, 2026
Residents strongly protested the city's $182,000 funding allocation for Flock automated license plate reader cameras in the 2027 budget, citing privacy concerns, potential data misuse, and lack of accountability. Council members debated the utility of the cameras in solving crimes versus community demands to defund surveillance in favor of social investments.
City Council Meeting - Oct 05, 2026
The budget keeps $182,000 for Flock cameras, which sparked heated public testimony about surveillance, ICE data sharing and lawsuits. Chief Smith detailed safeguards: 30-day default retention, no immigration search setting, and case-number requirements. The contract expires in November, so the debate isn't over.
City Council Meeting - Sep 28, 2026
Sixteen public speakers, nearly all urging the council not to fund Flock license plate readers, Clearview AI, or the drone program in the 2027 budget. They cited privacy, Fourth Amendment concerns, data breaches, misuse by EPD, and argued the ~$265,000 proposed for 2027 would do more good in community programs. No vote was taken, but the council acknowledged the input is fueling ongoing conversations with stakeholders.
Residents opposing Flock cameras pack Evansville City Council meeting
Residents opposing Flock cameras pack Evansville City Council meeting 14 News
City Council Meeting - Aug 10, 2026
A resident served the council with a public records demand for contracts behind the Flock surveillance cameras, claiming Fourth Amendment concerns; the attorney said the council's clerk holds limited records.
City Council Meeting - Jun 22, 2026
Speakers warned that Flock license-plate cameras could be weaponized by ICE under Indiana's new immigration law (SB 76) and police-militarization law (HB 1343). Council Vice President Allen said she's researching whether state law could force the city's camera data to be shared.
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