07/09/2026
STATEMENT ON FLOCK SAFE COUNTY PILOT
On June 30, Anoka County Sheriff Brad Wise signed a one-year contract with Flock Safety to launch the "Flock Safe County Pilot Project." I do not support how this decision was made.
The pilot includes an expansion of the county's Flock camera system and the deployment of additional drones housed in fixed locations throughout the county to assist with emergency response.
It is important to understand that the Anoka County Sheriff's Office is a separate, independently elected office with statutory responsibilities and serves as the county's law enforcement agency.
The County Board does not have authority over the Sheriff's Office except in limited circumstances, such as setting the budget and reviewing projects exceeding $175,000 that require County Board approval.
As a County Commissioner, I was neither invited to provide input nor informed of this contract until after it had already been signed.
Prior to the Sheriff's decision, I had advocated for keeping this project within the County's Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) process so the financial implications could be fully reviewed, the public could be meaningfully engaged, and clear policies governing the use of this technology could be developed before implementation.
Instead, the Sheriff decided to move forward under the authority of the Sheriff's Office. The contract identifies the Sheriff's Office, not the Anoka County Board, as the client.
Because this is a Sheriff's Office project, questions about the pilot should be directed to Sheriff Brad Wise at: [email protected] or 763-324-5010.
For those interested in reviewing my previous public comments and engagement on this issue, you can find them in the link in my comments.
I believe technology can—and should—play an important role in public safety. Anoka County has successfully utilized Flock cameras and drone technology for many years, and I support thoughtful innovation that helps protect our communities.
At the same time, I recognize that many residents have legitimate questions about privacy, data collection, oversight, and transparency.
Public confidence is essential when implementing new public safety technologies, and those concerns deserve to be heard and addressed.
I also believe that major initiatives affecting our communities are strongest when they are developed through transparency, collaboration, and public engagement.
Although I was not part of this decision, I remain committed to listening to residents, helping connect people with accurate information and resources, and working with my colleagues to ensure that Columbia Heights, Hilltop, Fridley—and any other city that chooses—have the opportunity to opt out of participation in this pilot if they determine it is in their community's best interest.
