Moline, Illinois will deactivate nine Flock cameras within approximately two weeks. Police credit the system with aiding homicide, robbery, kidnapping, and stolen-vehicle cases. Officials paused the program despite its value, citing privacy concerns and public confidence. Cities across the country are cutting ties with Flock Safety following reports of misuse, unauthorized searches, and expansive data sharing. However, Moline, Illinois, is taking a slightly different path. Police aren’t claiming the cameras failed, nor have they disclosed any local scandal involving the system. In fact, the department calls the technology invaluable. And it is pulling the plug anyway. The Moline Police Department announced that it is pausing its fixed automated license plate reader program, which consists of nine Flock cameras positioned around the city. Officials expect the system to be completely deactivated within approximately 14 days, although physically removing the equipment could take another 30 to 60 days. Importantly, the department calls it a pause, not a cancellation so, in theory, they could return. Read: You Can Hide From Flock’s Cameras, If You Turn Your Car Into A Blindfold Police Chief Darren Gault stressed that “this is not a rejection of ALPR technology or its value to law enforcement.” Instead, he said the existing program no longer provides the balance the department wants between public safety and public confidence. There is little doubt where police stand on its effectiveness. The department’s own license plate reader webpage describes the system as “invaluable” and lists several significant investigations aided by ALPR data. Those include two double homicides in 2024, a Chase Bank robbery, a 2025 kidnapping, a shooting, and an operation involving payment-card skimmers. Police also credit Flock alerts with recovering stolen vehicles, locating an out-of-town murder suspect, and helping officers arrest a suspect while recovering a gun. In other words, to police, this wasn’t an expensive network sitting around collecting dust. However, Moline officials say the technology, existing laws, and public expectations are no longer moving at the same pace. Mayor Sangeetha Rayapati told KWQC that public opposition played a significant role, noting that concerns about Flock cross political lines and have intensified following reports of abuse elsewhere. Moline maintains that its cameras collect vehicle information rather than personal details or facial-recognition data. It also says searches require a legitimate investigative purpose and are subject to auditing. Even so, residents remain concerned about where that information can travel and who might ultimately access it. Again, since this is just a pause, ALPRs could return. Moline could eventually reconsider the program if stronger privacy protections emerge or public opinion wanes or quiets down. Until then, a documented record of helping solve serious crimes wasn’t enough to overcome the public’s concerns about being watched. Photos: Flock Safety