Flock cameras

FWPD Chief P.J. Smith announced Monday that the department will not pursue smaller contracts after the city council voted to cancel its contract with FLOCK. He also said the 36 cameras are now offline and will be removed soon.

Even though Fort Wayne City Council canceled the contract, the police department wants to find a way to keep using the cameras they say are a valuable tool to solve crimes. Mayor Sharon Tucker says "not so fast."

The city's contract came up for renewal earlier in the summer, and after weeks of study and public comment, the council voted 8-0 to discontinue the use of the license plate readers. Councilman Dr. Scott Myers was absent.

Tuesday's council meeting was the last one before the Fort Wayne City Council is set to vote whether to renew the contract for the automatic license plate reading cameras.

On Monday, city officials announced the opening of the Engage portal to gather public comment, questions and share information about the use of Flock license-plate reading cameras.

City Councilman Russ Jehl proposed the vote delay to allow council to codify the Fort Wayne Police Department's policies for greater oversight.

Touted by law enforcement as a necessary and helpful tool, others worry about creeping surveillance and data sharing with federal agencies.