Last week, the Platte City Board of Aldermen approved a resolution to set standards for the use of Flock license plate readers in the city. Residents believe the board’s resolution doesn’t go far enough to protect citizen privacy.
Concerned citizens turned out at the Tuesday, Sept. 22 meeting of the board to hear the resolution and the parameters the city planned to put into place.
The resolution states the use of license plate reading cameras and data must conform to the following standards:
Must be narrowly used to solve a clearly identified vehicle related crime or public safety problem.
Must have the shortest possible data retention time while still remaining a viable law enforcement tool.
Must have access to the system restricted to only law enforcement personnel.
Must have mandatory audit trails.
Must not be used to monitor people for reasons unrelated to public safety or law enforcement.
According to City Administrator Bryan Richison, board members feel the standards they approved address the concerns raised by the residents.
“Based upon the reaction of the audience, I don’t think the residents agree,” he said.
Richison said he understands the residents who oppose the cameras want the city to get rid of them immediately and that the board has been listening to those concerns. However, the city signed its contract with Flock in August 2025 for a one year term with an option to renew for two more years.
“Due to delays with the installations and activation of the system, Flock has verbally told us that our initial one year term will not expire until April 2027,” Richison said. “So, I think that at least some of the board believes there is nothing to decide until we get closer to the renewal.”