08/31/2026
City Minute: Flock (ALPR) Cameras
It had been brought to my attention that we have Flock cameras or ALPR cameras installed within city limits. After looking into the matter, I want to clarify what’s actually going on.
The websites where these “Flock Camera Locations” were pinned are completely community driven, meaning anyone, anywhere, can mark an ALPR camera at any time, whether it exists or not. In this case, two locations in Phillipsburg were marked, and both are incorrect. Whoever marked them likely acted in good faith, and the map itself looks convincing at first glance, but that’s exactly why it’s important not to jump to conclusions. It is not required, and no one likes the government telling them what to do, but taking a moment to call and verify information before sharing it further is always appreciated. In this case the continued spread of incorrect information without verification is what becomes worrisome, because situations like this can lead to unnecessary damage to public infrastructure. When that happens, it ultimately costs all of us money, and we are always here to help answer questions before assumptions turn into problems. What matters most is asking questions, verifying information, and avoiding assumptions.
Since these mistaken pins caused confusion, I’d like to explain the infrastructure that was misidentified as surveillance equipment, starting with a sewage flow meter. (Lat: 39.7555951 Long: -99.309151)
The flow meter in question is solar powered and uses a solar panel to operate, much like the panels used on ALPR cameras only larger. Because that solar panel sits above ground, whoever marked the location on the crowd sourced camera reporting website likely saw the panel and assumed it was part of a Flock system. The mix up is understandable, but it is a good example of why asking questions before marking or sharing information is so important. In reality, it’s a routine piece of utility equipment that supports the reliability and long term planning of Phillipsburg’s water and sewer operations.
The second item that was misidentified is mounted on one of our street lights uptown. (Lat: 39.755932 Long: -99.324593)
While reviewing the lights in that area, my attention was drawn to a small weatherproof outdoor breaker box with a short wire and female plug hanging from the bottom on a nearby power pole. From a quick drive by glance, it does resemble a device similar enough in shape and placement that someone could mistake it for a Flock camera. It was the only thing in that area that even somewhat resembled an ALPR camera, so the mix up is understandable. The reality of what it actually is much simpler, and far more boring.
When I first started with the city nine years ago our crews hung festive, but admittedly heavy and awkward, Christmas wreaths on the power poles each year. At the time, the only way to power them was by plugging them directly into the photocell on top of the old lamp heads. That worked for a while, but it occasionally damaged the photocells, and once Prairie Land Electric upgraded the lamp heads to LED, continuing to power them in the same manner became nearly impossible.
To fix the issue, the City built, and Prairie Land installed (thank you again, Mr. Swatzell and crew), a dedicated breaker to control power to the wreaths, connected to a photosensor inside an all weather box. This simple improvement cut our crew’s workload in half and removed the need to work directly with the power company’s infrastructure during installation. Fast forward to 2026, and that same helpful little box has now been mistaken for a surveillance device, even though it’s nothing more than a practical solution for holiday decorations.
This leads me to my last point. Surveillance has become more common in everyday life since the early 2000s, and it is understandable that people have concerns and questions about how different technologies are used. Phillipsburg residents have every right to examine these issues, disagree on whether certain tools are beneficial or harmful, and vote according to their beliefs. At the same time, it is not the role of a non elected official on a public government website to lecture the public on my opinion of right or wrong. The goal for this city minute is simply to encourage people to look into things, ask questions, and gather accurate information before assuming and spreading false information. Not everything is as cut and dry as it appears just like not every solar panel is an ALPR camera. If ALPR cameras were ever proposed in Phillipsburg, the matter would go through the City Council, with contracts, installation approvals, and budget lines reflecting those agreements before anything was placed in the public right of way.
Let’s continue moving in a positive direction as a community. I see it every day, and the feeling around town is palpable. If an issue like this ever comes up again, my door is always open to talk about it. Let’s keep moving forward together.
Thanks,
Trenton R. Weinman
Public Works Director
