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- calendar_today October 21, 2026
Lafayette City Council unanimously decides to remove flock cameras
The Lafayette City Council has unanimously voted to eliminate the use of Flock cameras in the city. This move follows significant community concerns about privacy and the security of data collected by these surveillance cameras.
Background: Residents voice privacy concerns
The council’s decision came after a meeting on October 6, where a number of Lafayette residents expressed their apprehensions over the presence of flock cameras. Concerns included claims that the cameras constituted an invasion of privacy, with some residents arguing that such technologies should not be tracking individuals at all times.
Statements from that meeting, as reported by FOX31, included comments such as “something had to change,” and calls to reconsider how surveillance technology is used in public spaces. These privacy concerns were cited as the key motivation behind the council’s latest action.
Council and community response
Councilor Kyle Beaulieu addressed community concerns at the October 6 meeting, noting that increasing reports of misuse and uncertainty regarding camera security had amplified calls for change. Community skepticism also centered on whether the Flock Safety system was as secure as initially indicated to officials, further fueling the push for removal.
Immediate steps toward camera removal and contract termination
Following the unanimous council vote, a city spokesperson outlined key next steps for discontinuing the use of flock cameras:
- Immediate cessation of all Flock Safety technology use by the city
- Initiating the process of terminating the city's contract with Flock Safety ahead of schedule
- Covering all Flock Safety cameras controlled by the city's contract until they can be physically removed by the company
- Prohibiting staff from entering into contracts with any other automated license plate reader (ALPR) system, unless otherwise directed by the council
Flock Safety data had already been temporarily suspended since the October 6 council meeting.
Clarification on local surveillance systems
In a statement, a spokesperson for the City of Lafayette emphasized the importance of transparency during the camera removal process. The city plans to clarify for the public which cameras are specifically part of the ALPR system under its contract and which serve other purposes, such as traffic monitoring or speed enforcement. The spokesperson also noted that not all license plate readers in Lafayette are governed by the city’s contract; some are operated by neighboring municipalities or private organizations.
History of Flock cameras in Lafayette
Flock cameras, developed by Flock Safety, have been in operation within Lafayette since 2022. The decision to remove them reflects ongoing community concerns over privacy and the use of surveillance technologies in public spaces. As the city moves forward with camera removal and contract termination, officials aim to keep residents informed about changes to local surveillance infrastructure.
Source: kdvr.com.
