FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WISH) — The Fort Wayne City Council unanimously voted on Tuesday not to renew its Flock Safety camera contract. The value of the contract would have been around $120,000. Council members said in the meeting that the new Fort Wayne chief of police first made them aware of the Flock license plate readers in the city. Several council members also say they’ve had an overwhelming number of community members reach out to them and oppose the use of the cameras. “I want to begin by acknowledging that I do understand the public safety value of license plate readers,” Michelle Chambers, Fort Wayne City Councilwoman at large, said. “I understand why law enforcement considers it an important investigative tool, and I do believe technology can and should play a role in helping our officers solve crimes, recover stolen vehicles, locate missing persons, and protect our community. So, my decision tonight is not based on a belief that this technology has no value – it is based on whether the safeguards surrounding that technology are strong enough to protect the people we represent.” The council says that though the ordinance ends the contract, they plan to work more on legislation surrounding the issue in the future. Statement from Fort Wayne PD Following tonight’s vote, the Fort Wayne Police Department respects the decision of the Fort Wayne City Council regarding the proposed Flock Safety contract. License Plate Reader technology has proven to be a valuable investigative resource for our officers and detectives, and the department continues to believe it can be used responsibly while maintaining appropriate safeguards for privacy, accountability, and oversight. One of the first actions Chief Paul Smith took after being appointed Chief was to brief City Council on the department’s use of the Flock LPR system and provide information about how the technology is used. FWPD has consistently supported transparency and appropriate oversight of this technology. The Fort Wayne Police Department will also continue to support reasonable efforts to establish legislation governing how License Plate Reader technology is used. We believe effective public-safety tools and appropriate safeguards can coexist, and we remain committed to working with City Council on clear standards that protect legitimate privacy interests while preserving the investigative value of LPR technology. FWPD will evaluate the impact of tonight’s decision and determine the appropriate path forward. We appreciate the time City Council members and members of the community have devoted to this discussion and remain committed to transparency regarding the department’s use of this technology. The Fort Wayne Police Department ...read more read less