Residents urge Coralville to cancel Flock camera contract over security and privacy concerns

During public comment the Coralville City Council heard renewed, sharply worded calls to cancel the city’s Flock license-plate reader contract, with speakers saying the devices are insecure, store sensitive images and risk misuse by outside agencies.

Dan Wohlers, citing independent security research, said some Flock devices run an obsolete Android operating system that is vulnerable to numerous exploits and can be taken over via a physical-hotspot method. He told the council the devices can store images of pedestrians and other bystanders and described the network as a significant liability. "These devices represent a massive liability for our city," Wohlers said, urging the Council to cancel the contract.

Ryan Swenka alleged the Coralville Police Department had shared camera access with Cedar Rapids, a practice he said violated the amended ALPR policy and undermined public trust; Swenka said he has not yet received a reply from Police Chief Kyle Nicholson. A previously unnamed commenter told the council the cameras retain data for 30 days and alleged AI face-tracking expansion and a December data exposure.

Resident Kent Christen defended the cameras’ use in locating missing persons and offered to brief skeptical council members on how the system is operated, saying most captured license plates are not examined without a law-enforcement reason.

Council did not take formal action on the Flock contract during the meeting. Several councilmembers acknowledged constituent concern; City staff noted the city would continue to receive public input and stakeholders may request follow-up or briefings.