SURPRISE, AZ — More than a month after the City of Surprise terminated its contract with Flock Safety and directed the company to remove its network of automated license plate reader cameras, many of the devices remain standing throughout the city.
The lingering presence of the cameras has frustrated some residents who believed the technology would be removed shortly after the city ended the agreement.
A drive through Surprise still reveals dozens of the cameras mounted on poles at intersections and along major roadways.
For residents like Jim Ellis, that raises concerns about whether the cameras could still be collecting information.
“We’ve heard stories around the country where these contracts have been canceled and, unfortunately, they’re still being used, and they’re still capturing data and pictures of vehicles,” Ellis said.
The City of Surprise canceled its contract with Flock Safety on Aug. 13 and requested that all company-owned cameras be removed from within city limits.
According to city officials, the city has since followed up with Flock seeking a more specific timeline for removal. The company has informed the city that it is still working on determining a removal date...