Documented Incident

Fond du Lac and Winnebago counties suspend Flock camera use over out-of-state data disclosures

First reported: September 4, 2026 · 13 sources

The Fond du Lac County Sheriff's Department says it is immediately discontinuing use of Flock automated license plate reader cameras after learning that search data tied to active investigations was released publicly by law enforcement agencies in other states responding to open records requests. The department says those disclosure decisions were made without its knowledge or consent because Flock search logs are shared across a nationwide network of participating agencies. Covers were being placed over every Flock camera lens in Fond du Lac County on Friday to stop further image capture, and Winnebago County said its partnering agencies would also suspend use. Fond du Lac officials say they would reconsider ALPR technology if clear safeguards exist governing how shared data is used, stored, accessed and disclosed by other jurisdictions.

Key facts

• Fond du Lac County cited Wisconsin statutes exempting active-investigation records from public disclosure; the releases came from agencies in other states.
• Camera lens covers were being installed across Fond du Lac County on Friday.
• The Omro Police Department never had a Flock contract, and the Oshkosh Police Department cancelled its contract earlier in the year.
• Racine County has also decided to remove Flock cameras; Sheriff Schmaling said the technology did not fail the public but Flock did.
• The sheriff's office said unauthorized disclosure could expose victims, witnesses, juveniles and confidential sources and compromise investigations.

Sources

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

• Fond du Lac and Winnebago counties halt Flock cameras after data release concerns (WLUK, September 4, 2026)
• Five Fond du Lac County law enforcement agencies ending use of Flock cameras (WTMJ, September 4, 2026)
• Fond du Lac County law enforcement ceases use of Flock cameras immediately (wbay.com, September 4, 2026)
• Fond du Lac County Law Enforcement Agencies End Use of Flock License Plate Readers (KFIZ, September 4, 2026)
• Fond du Lac and Winnebago counties halt Flock cameras after data release concerns (duke.fm, September 4, 2026)
• Flock Safety suspended by Winnebago County law enforcement (The Sheboygan Press, September 4, 2026)
• Winnebago , Fond du Lac county law enforcement terminate Flock camera use immediately (whby.com, September 4, 2026)
• Fond du Lac , Winnebago counties immediately suspend use of Flock cameras immediately (wbay.com, September 4, 2026)
• Fond du Lac and Winnebago counties halt Flock cameras after data release concerns (wtaq.com, September 4, 2026)
• Fond du Lac County agencies end use of Flock license plate cameras (fdlreporter.com, September 4, 2026)
• Flock Safety suspended by Winnebago County law enforcement (htrnews.com, September 4, 2026)
• Fond du Lac and Winnebago counties halt Flock cameras after data release concerns (943jackfm.com, September 4, 2026)
• Flock Safety suspended by Winnebago County law enforcement (Oshkosh Northwestern, September 4, 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 7, 2026. Corrections: blockflock@bytebunny.io. See all documented incidents or search the full article archive.