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Residents urge Coralville to cancel Flock license-plate camera agreement; several council members call for reconsideration
Summary
Public commenters urged the Coralville City Council to cancel its agreement with Flock over privacy and civil‑rights concerns; several council members—including Hai Huynh and Katie Freeman—said they want the contract returned to the council for another vote and asked that the two installed cameras be removed.
Public commenters at Coralville’s Feb. 10 council meeting pressed elected officials to cancel the city’s agreement with Flock, the company that supplies automated license‑plate readers (ALPRs), saying the cameras threaten privacy and could be used to track marginalized community members.
A string of residents voiced specific concerns that the devices are “easy to hack into,” that Flock might collect images beyond license plates, and that ALPR data could be shared with federal agencies, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Speakers told the council they no longer trust the system even if some residents initially supported the cameras for public‑safety uses.
Councilmembers responded with varying stances. Councilperson Hai Huynh said: “If the political climate was different ALPRs might be a great tool for our police department, but right now it is not a tool we need,” and asked that the contract be placed on the next council agenda for reconsideration and that the two already‑installed cameras be removed. Councilperson Mike Knudson said he remains concerned about timing and scope and supports bringing the matter back for discussion. Councilperson Katie Freeman said she has opposed the Flock contract since before her council service and urged a new vote, adding that she “can’t stand on the side of hurting people.”
Councilperson Royce Peterson said he voted for the Flock cameras when he believed local control would be maintained but acknowledged the changing legal landscape; Councilmember Rich Vogelzang expressed appreciation for first responders while not taking a new position in this discussion. No formal action to cancel or amend the Flock agreement was taken at the Feb. 10 meeting.
The public comments also referenced a state Attorney General action requiring the city to remove section 427.4.1 from the city’s ALPR policy, language that previously limited use of the cameras for immigration enforcement. Commenters said that change heightens their concerns about how ALPR data might be used by external agencies.
Mayor Laurie Goodrich invited continued dialogue; several councilmembers asked staff and the city attorney to prepare information and options so the council can consider next steps in a future meeting. Huynh explicitly requested the item be placed on the next council agenda.
What happens next: Councilmembers asked staff to prepare materials for future consideration; the council did not vote on the Flock contract on Feb. 10. Public advocates said they will continue to press for cancellation and for the removal of installed equipment.
