Documented Incident
Wapello County, Iowa sheriff defends ALPRs after policy told deputies not to mention them in stops
First reported: September 26, 2026 · 21 sources
A Sharon Herald report on growing public pushback against Flock Safety license plate readers highlighted Wapello County, Iowa Sheriff Don Philips, who said he does not understand the backlash to the cameras. Philips drew national attention after 404 Media published a departmental policy document that instructed deputies not to reference automated license plate reader use during traffic stops. The article also documented Flock cameras installed in Hermitage, including on Highland Road near Clarksville Road and on East State Street near the Hermitage Towne Plaza.
Written guidance telling officers not to disclose ALPR use during stops raises questions about how drivers learn what led to their being pulled over, and about how agencies elsewhere document and disclose surveillance-driven policing.
Key facts
- Wapello County Sheriff Don Philips said the backlash to Flock Safety cameras puzzles him.
- 404 Media published a Wapello County Sheriff's Office policy document instructing deputies not to mention ALPR use during traffic stops.
- Flock cameras in Hermitage were photographed on Highland Road near Clarksville Road and on East State Street near the Hermitage Towne Plaza.
- The article did not report any finding of legal violation or formal investigation arising from the policy document.
Sources
This summary was written from the published reporting below and links to it; BlockFlockNow does not reproduce article text.
- Across U.S., cities, police navigate backlash to license plate readers (Sharonherald, September 26, 2026)
- Across U.S., cities, police navigate backlash to license plate readers (Greensburgdailynews, September 27, 2026)
- Across U.S., cities, police navigate backlash to license plate readers (Reporter.net, September 25, 2026)
- Across U.S., cities, police navigate backlash to license plate readers (dailyitem.com, September 26, 2026)
- Across U.S., cities, police navigate backlash to license plate readers (Ottumwacourier, September 25, 2026)
- Across U.S., cities, police navigate backlash to license plate readers (Nc News Online, September 27, 2026)
- Across U.S., cities, police navigate backlash to license plate readers (The Joplin Globe, September 23, 2026)
- Across U.S., cities, police navigate backlash to license plate readers (Timeswv, September 23, 2026)
- Across U.S., cities, police navigate backlash to license plate readers (Herald Bulletin, September 22, 2026)
- Across U.S., cities, police navigate backlash to license plate readers (Register-herald, September 22, 2026)
- Across U.S., cities, police navigate backlash to license plate readers (News and Tribune, September 22, 2026)
- Across U.S., cities, police navigate backlash to license plate readers (The Cumberland Times-news, September 22, 2026)
- Across U.S., cities, police navigate backlash to license plate readers (cnhinews.com, September 22, 2026)
- Across the U.S., cities, police navigate backlash to license plate readers (Transylvania Times, September 22, 2026)
- Across U.S., cities, police navigate backlash to license plate readers (Itemonline, September 22, 2026)
- Across U.S., police navigate backlash to license plate readers (Daily Independent, September 30, 2026)
- Across U.S., cities, police navigate backlash to license plate readers (Gloucester Daily Times, September 30, 2026)
- Across U.S., police navigate backlash to license plate readers (Dailyindependent, September 30, 2026)
- Across U.S., cities, police navigate backlash to license plate readers (Effinghamdailynews, September 30, 2026)
- Across U.S., cities, police navigate backlash to license plate readers (Weatherforddemocrat, October 2, 2026)
- Across U.S., cities, police navigate backlash to license plate readers (Gainesvilleregister, October 2, 2026)
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About this record
BlockFlockNow documents reported incidents involving Flock Safety cameras and automated license plate readers: council votes, contract decisions, misuse by authorized users, lawsuits, audits, and community response. Every record is reviewed by a person before publication. New to the topic? Start with What is Flock?, find meetings near you, or learn how to request your town's camera records.
Updated October 3, 2026. Corrections: blockflock@bytebunny.io. See all documented incidents or search the full article archive.