Milwaukee County okays Flock camera replacement in county parks

The useful part

(The Center Square) – Milwaukee County is looking to take Flock cameras out of its county parks. Supervisor Justin Bielinski wrote the resolution and celebrated its passage. Big tech has proven themselves time and again to be ill-suited to this responsibility.

How it works

• The sheriff's office announced a plan to shorten the window for Flock data and limit who can access the information.
• "The intent is short term: get them out of parks, and long term figure out how much surveillance we actually want to have," Bielinski told reporters earlier this week.
• It is critical that we as elected officials ensure whatever technology is being used in our name respects civil liberties – for everyone," Bielinski said in a statement.
• Milwaukee County announced earlier this month that it is changing the rules for its Flock cameras.
• Chief Deputy Brian Barkow told county supervisors Tuesday that cameras, including Flock cameras, have helped cut serious crimes in parks by 43% since 2023.

What to take from it

Barkow said he wants to see Milwaukee County continue to keep an eye on parks with some kind of cameras, though Bielinski isn't so sure. The debate over Flock cameras has also become an issue in the race for governor.

Details worth keeping

"With great power comes great responsibility. The sheriff's office is not ready to take all cameras out of county parks. Milwaukee County Executive, and Democrat candidate for gove...