By Rich Larson
As law enforcement agencies across Minnesota expand their use of so‑called Flock cameras, questions about privacy, data sharing, and oversight are drawing increased public attention. In Northfield, however, Police Chief Jeff Schroepfer says the city is not currently using the technology.
Flock cameras — the name most often heard, though similar systems are made by companies like Axon — are license plate reader cameras. They are designed to capture images of passing vehicles and record license plate information, which can then be searched by police during investigations.
During an interview this week, Schroepfer emphasized that the Northfield Police Department does not have a contract with Flock and does not operate license plate reader cameras of its own. While the technology is present elsewhere in the community — including on the St. Olaf College campus — and is used by agencies such as the Dakota County Sheriff’s Office, Rice County, and the city of Faribault, Northfield police are not among them.
That doesn’t mean the department hasn’t discussed it.
“There’s a lot of attention on them right now,” Schroepfer said, noting that many law enforcement agencies see license plate readers as a powerful investigative tool. When used, police can enter the license plate number of a stolen vehicle or a wanted person into the system. If that vehicle passes a camera, officers receive an alert.
Schroepfer stressed that the cameras do not use facial recognition technology — a common misconception — and only read license plates. Still, concerns remain, particularly around how data is stored and shared.
“Each agency sets its own policy,” he said, adding that agencies in the region are generally very restrictive about who they share information with. Recent national discussions have centered on whether license plate data could be accessed by federal agencies like Immigration and Customs Enforcement, though Schroepfer said he cannot speak to the policies of departments that use the technology.
The conversation also touched on other misconceptions about surveillance, including the belief that police can scan the barcode on Minnesota license tabs. Schroepfer clarified that the barcode is not used by law enforcement and that Northfield squads do not use in‑car license plate reader software, despite having Axon camera systems.
As technology evolves, Schroepfer acknowledged the broader reality: cameras are already everywhere, from ATMs to doorbells.
“You can’t hide,” he said. “It’s just the world we live in now.”
Rich Larson is the owner and General Manager of KYMN Radio. Contact him at rich@kymnradio.net
