Isanti County Sheriff to End Flock Camera Program After Trial Period
Published: August 7th, 2026.
ISANTI COUNTY: The Isanti County Sheriff’s Office will discontinue its use of Flock Safety license plate reader cameras following a months-long trial, citing budget priorities rather than privacy or constitutional concerns.
Eight Flock cameras were installed throughout the county in April as part of a no-cost evaluation. Sheriff Wayne Seiberlich said more than three million vehicles passed the cameras during the trial.
According to the sheriff’s office, the cameras generated alerts involving stolen vehicles and plates, missing people, arrest warrants and drivers with revoked, suspended or canceled licenses. The office said the technology also assisted with an arson investigation and efforts to locate people connected to Silver Alerts.
The trial also generated concerns from residents about privacy, government overreach and access to license plate data. Seiberlich said the office reviewed those concerns and found no instances in which its deputies misused the system or the system was compromised during the trial.
Despite what Seiberlich described as demonstrated public-safety benefits, he said the cameras cost about $3,000 each and are not currently a necessary investment for the sheriff’s office.
“Based on that evaluation, I have determined that, while the technology has demonstrated clear value as a public safety tool, it is not a necessary investment for our office at this time given our current budget priorities and operational needs,” Seiberlich said.
The sheriff said the office could reconsider using Flock cameras in the future if funding or public-safety needs change.