Wichita moves to dismiss lawsuit challenging constitutionality of its Flock ALPR network

First reported: September 28, 2026 · 2 sources

The City of Wichita filed a motion to dismiss and a 63-page supporting memorandum in Sedgwick County court, asking a judge to throw out a lawsuit brought by resident Mason Grimmett that alleges the city's use of Flock automated license plate reader cameras is unconstitutional. The city argues the court lacks subject matter jurisdiction and that Grimmett has not stated a claim, noting he does not allege his plate was queried, that he was stopped, or that his data was misused or improperly released. Grimmett's attorney, Sam MacRoberts of the Kansas Justice Institute, said his team is preparing a response and plans to seek an extension of the Oct. 2 deadline, and that he is confident the plaintiff will prevail on the motion. No ruling has been issued.

Why this matters

Whether courts treat aggregated ALPR travel histories as distinct from a single plate observation is a threshold question for Fourth Amendment and state constitutional challenges to camera networks nationwide. The jurisdictional and standing arguments Wichita raises could shape whether residents can litigate surveillance claims without showing they were individually searched.

Key facts

Wichita filed a motion to dismiss and a memorandum in support on a Friday in Sedgwick County court; the memorandum runs 63 pages.
The city contends the court lacks subject matter jurisdiction and that plaintiff Mason Grimmett failed to state a claim on which relief can be granted.
As of 2024, the city reported close to 200 Flock cameras in Wichita, which police say capture license plates and vehicle details to assist investigations.
MacRoberts characterizes the city's position as denying a reasonable expectation of privacy in a license plate, and argues the case is broader because databases allow tracking of movements over time.
A response to the motion was due Oct. 2; plaintiff's counsel said an extension would be requested. The court has not ruled.

Timeline

September 28, 2026Wichita seeks to dismiss Flock cameras lawsuit
September 29, 2026City of Wichita seeks to dismiss lawsuit over Flock cameras

Sources

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

Wichita seeks to dismiss Flock cameras lawsuit (KAKE, September 28, 2026)
City of Wichita seeks to dismiss lawsuit over Flock cameras (kwch.com, September 29, 2026)

More from Kansas

Everything we have documented in Kansas, or search every Kansas article in the archive.

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 4, 2026. Corrections: blockflock@bytebunny.io. See all documented incidents or search the full article archive.