Police are facing growing discontent from Americans over the rising use of controversial Flock cameras due to privacy concerns. And it looks like the issue has already boiled over in one Minnesota town, where all eight Flock cameras have reportedly been sawed off and stolen. The police department have asked people to provide information about the thefts on Facebook, but commenters are not being particularly sympathetic about the situation.
Eight Flock cameras have been stolen in Winona
On August 1, the Winona Police Department realized that all eight of the city’s Flock cameras were not working, according to a press release from the agency on its official Facebook page posted on August 4.
During the evening, an officer spotted that there had been no recent activity coming from the cameras, prompting the department to check on them at various locations in Winona. The license plate readers were installed near Highway 61, Highway 14, and Highway 43.
When officers arrived at the locations, it was discovered that the poles of all eight Flock cameras were sawed off at the base and had been discarded in the weeds nearby. The devices themselves were stolen and removed between July 29 and August 1, and they have not been found since August 4.
Police say the cost of replacing one of the cameras will cost $3,000, which amounts to $24,000 for all eight. The department is asking anyone with information on the thefts to contact them or submit a tip online.
However, many commenters on Facebook responding to the press release are not showing their support about the situation. One comment that received over 3,800 likes wrote, “It’s not theft, it’s free removal.”
Another top comment provided cover for the would-be vandals: “Whoever you’re suspecting was actually on a fishing trip with me between July 29th and august 1st.”
Meanwhile, one user summarized the reactions to the story: “Love seeing the comments on these police releases of flocks being cut down. It restores some faith in humanity that no one wants to be tracked indefinitely in the name of ‘safety’.”
