Two Ticketed at Springfield, Missouri Council Meeting After Flock Camera Review Sent to Committee

Event: September 22, 2025 · First reported: September 23, 2026 · 2 sources

At Springfield, Missouri's September 22 city council meeting, Mayor Jeff Schrag moved to send a resolution calling for a review of the city's automated license plate reader contracts to committee, a motion that passed 5-3 and foreclosed public comment on the issue. After the crowd objected, Schrag paused the meeting, ordered recording cameras off, and cleared the room; freelance photographer Noah Powell was handcuffed and ticketed as people exited. Later that evening, Mia Hyder began a statement opposing Flock ALPR cameras during a public comment period on an unrelated housing item, had her microphone cut, and was arrested on a disturbing-the-peace charge. Both say they were held in handcuffs about five minutes and released with tickets; Powell told 404 Media he has retained counsel and intends to contest his.

Why this matters

The episode illustrates how procedural moves like referral to committee can close off the public comment channel residents rely on to weigh in on surveillance contracts, and it raises questions about how disorderly-conduct enforcement is applied at public meetings.

Key facts

Springfield operates 41 Flock cameras according to the company's transparency portal.
Councilor Brandon Jenson's resolution sought a comprehensive review of all relevant ALPR contracts; the motion to refer it to committee passed 5-3.
Hyder was cited for disturbing the peace; Powell was detained and ticketed. Neither case has been adjudicated.
The Springfield Police Department and the city did not respond to 404 Media's requests for comment.
Local group Flock Out SGF said residents had prepared statements but none were heard, and said it stands by the two people cited.

Sources

This summary was written from the published reporting below and links to it; BlockFlockNow does not reproduce article text.

Woman Arrested, Dragged Away After Quietly Speaking About Flock at City Council Meeting (404media.co, September 23, 2026)
Woman Arrested, Dragged Away After Criticizing Flock at City Council (The New Republic, September 23, 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 September 24, 2026. Corrections: blockflock@bytebunny.io. See all documented incidents or search the full article archive.