The City of Bloomington is ending its contract with Flock Security after months of evaluating the company’s controversial license plate reader contract.
Mayor Kerry Thomson announced the choice not to renew the contract, which ended on March 5, according to a Wednesday press release. She directed the Bloomington Police Department to begin transitioning away from Flock systems by limiting access to camera data to BPD staff. The city previously shared data with law enforcement throughout Indiana.
The decision follows months of controversy about concerns that the company’s data could be shared with unauthorized agencies or used for immigration enforcement.
The city did not state an official date for when it will stop using Flock cameras or systems, although the press release said it will evaluate other technology and companies that would “better balance public safety needs with privacy protections.”
The press release said that the city’s review, which began in February, considered BPD’s use of Flock systems to safely recover a kidnapping victim and identify suspects in homicide and roadside sexual assault investigations.
On March 5, the Bloomington City Council unanimously passed a resolution requesting the city to review the contract and submit its findings to council, Bloomington Communications Director Desiree DeMolina wrote in an April 9 email to the Indiana Daily Student.
According to the press release, Bloomington Police Chief Michael Diekhoff submitted a report on Flock use Wednesday, followed by a memo to city council from the mayor, both of which will be presented at the council’s April 22 meeting.
“This review made clear that if this tool is used, it must be used under narrow parameters, strong accountability, and clear public safeguards,” Thomson said in the press release. “We are continuing to evaluate whether other options may better serve the community.”
According to the press release, the city owns 11 Flock license plate reader cameras, four video cameras and four mobile trailer systems that read license plates, record videos and detect gunshots. Law enforcement agencies, including the IU Police Department and Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, have similar systems.
Previous estimates, based on open records obtained from the Pittsboro Police Department, have placed the number of cameras owned by BPD at 40.
The city’s use of Flock automated license plate readers was the subject of a Jan. 30 protest at city hall that amassed over 400 attendees. Protesters called for an end to the contract over concerns the company’s data is not secure and could be shared with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
The ACLU reported in October 2025 that Flock data was being shared with ICE in Massachusetts, even in situations where law enforcement limited data sharing to just their officers, as is the case with Wednesday’s announcement.
BPD updated its policies March 26 to officially prohibit the use of Flock data for immigration enforcement and reproductive healthcare investigations within the department.
City Council Vice President Sydney Zulich said in an email to the IDS that she supports the decision to end the contract and hopes the city can continue reducing its use of taxpayer resources to fund the surveillance of residents.
“To all who protested and reach out, thank you!” Zulich said. “This was a product of your activism, and it’s a major win for our city.”
City Council’s next meeting is Wednesday, April 22, and Diekhoff will present additional information to the council.
