Wilmington, Delaware removes four donated Flock cameras, citing no contract and data-sharing concerns

First reported: August 10, 2026 · 2 sources

Wilmington, Delaware has taken its four Flock Safety license plate reader cameras out of service, according to a statement from the mayor's office, which said the city lacked a contract with Flock and did not control how the company shares data. The cameras had been donated to the city in 2023 by the nonprofit Delaware HELP Initiative. Wilmington continues to use license plate readers from other vendors, and nearby New Castle County police still operate 14 Flock cameras, which they credit with helping solve carjacking and robbery cases.

Why this matters

The removal highlights how donated surveillance equipment can enter a city without a negotiated contract or data-sharing terms, an arrangement other municipalities may face as they review ALPR programs.

Key facts

Four Flock cameras removed from service in Wilmington; the mayor's office cited lack of a contract and lack of control over data sharing.
Cameras were donated in 2023 by the nonprofit Delaware HELP Initiative.
Wilmington still uses ALPRs from other vendors; New Castle County police operate 14 Flock cameras.
ACLU Delaware executive director Mike Brickner welcomed the removal and called for regulation; Flock said the decision moves public safety backward and that it supports ALPR safeguard legislation.
Flock says data is deleted after 30 days by default, searches require documented justification, and audit trails flag possible misuse; the article notes a North Carolina officer was charged last week over alleged misuse of Flock to track a person.

Sources

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

Wilmington removes Flock cameras as debate over license plate readers grows (yahoo.com, August 10, 2026)
Wilmington, Delaware removes Flock cameras as debate over license plate readers grows (6abc Philadelphia, August 10, 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 August 17, 2026. Corrections: blockflock@bytebunny.io. See all documented incidents or search the full article archive.