Mankato council hears strong public opposition and mixed survey results on proposed ALPR, AI video and trailer cameras

The Mankato City Council held a public hearing on proposed public‑safety technology upgrades — Milestone video system AI tools, Axon automated license plate readers, Flock fixed ALPR cameras and mobile trailer surveillance cameras — and listened to more than a dozen residents who expressed privacy, civil‑liberties and environmental concerns.

Director Jeremy Clifton summarized an Every Voice Mankato public comment period held March 25–April 23 and the staff packet. Clifton said 62 responses were recorded on the survey portion: 49 of 62 respondents said improving community safety through new initiatives and technologies was at least somewhat important; 42 of 62 were at least somewhat supportive of using advanced technology for safety; and 46 of 62 would at least somewhat agree with investing in new technologies to keep Mankato safe. He reported sentiment percentages for individual proposals: Milestone enhancements ~41.9% positive; Axon ALPR ~55% positive; Flock fixed ALPR ~54.2% positive; mobile trailers ~45.8% positive. Staff also logged at least 34 emails (to the date of the summary), at least two voicemails and…