Wausau Residents Push City to End Flock Camera Contract

A group of Wausau residents is urging city leaders to cancel the city’s contract for automated license-plate-reading cameras, arguing that the technology raises concerns about privacy, surveillance and the handling of collected data.

Residents brought their objections to both the Finance Committee and City Council on Tuesday, asking officials to reconsider the city’s relationship with Flock Safety. Among their requests was that the city stop an upcoming payment of $50,000 and examine whether a provision in the contract allows the agreement to be terminated with 30 days’ notice. Wausau entered into a five-year contract with Flock Safety in 2023. The agreement is valued at $250,000, with annual payments of $50,000.

The cameras automatically capture license-plate information, which can be used by law enforcement to help identify vehicles connected to investigations. Critics have raised questions about how such information is accessed, shared and retained, as well as the extent of public input before the system was implemented.

Residents pointed to language in the contract they believe could allow the city to end the agreement. However, the legal and financial implications of terminating the contract remain important questions for city officials. No commitment to cancel the agreement was reported following Tuesday’s meetings. The issue could continue to draw attention as Wausau considers its 2027 budget and weighs the costs and benefits of its public-safety technology.

The next steps will depend on how city officials interpret the contract’s termination provisions and whether the council chooses to revisit the program.