The pushback came during the public comment period, where four residents asked council members not to renew agreements with private tech vendors like Flock and Axon. (Photo: City of Moorhead)
MOORHEAD, Minn. (KFGO) – The Moorhead Police Department is defending its use of automated license plate readers after a handful of residents urged the city council Monday night to cancel contracts with surveillance tech vendors.
During the public comment period, four citizens asked council members not to renew agreements with companies like Flock and Axon, arguing that automated vehicle tracking threatens personal privacy and constitutional rights.
Resident Catherine Ferguson pointed to Fargo, where Angela Lipps was wrongfully jailed following a facial recognition error. Ferguson warned that automated surveillance systems create dangerous consequences for everyday people.
“It’s not about having something to hide,” Ferguson said. “It’s about being able to go about our daily lives without having our movements routinely documented and made searchable”.
Other speakers warned that logging the daily travels of innocent drivers is ripe for abuse.
In a statement to KFGO News, Moorhead Police Chief Chris Helmick said the department uses technology responsibly and transparently. Helmick noted that the city’s eight camera units capture only license plates and vehicle characteristics on public roads, where courts have ruled drivers have no legal expectation of privacy in a vehicle license plate displayed on a public roadway.
Helmick emphasized that the system does not scan faces, identify people, or track individuals seeking reproductive health care or participating in lawful protests.
“Our personnel cannot use our ALPR data to monitor or analyze the historical travel patterns of a vehicle unless a judge has authorized a search warrant based on probable cause,” Helmick said.
He added that access is restricted to authorized staff, data is not shared with outside or federal agencies without written permission, and state law mandates independent audits every two years.
The council took no immediate vote on the contracts Monday. Officials said city staff would follow up on the concerns raised by residents.
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