As law enforcement tactics in Milwaukee become increasingly scrutinized, the Milwaukee Police Department (MPD) finds itself at the center of a debate over privacy and surveillance technology. A proposal to expand the use of Flock Group Inc.'s AI-powered license plate readers has faced opposition, with critics raising concerns about oversight and civil liberties. According to FOX6 News, the suggested expansion would see three additional cameras installed on Milwaukee's south side.
However, the discourse grew more complicated following a report by Wisconsin Examiner, which revealed that MPD accessed Illinois' Danville Police Department's Flock cameras as a part of classified investigations, venturing outside their jurisdiction and accessing data through a system they did not directly contract. On July 15 and October 21 of last year, it was reported that the Southeastern Threat Analysis Center (STAC), a branch of MPD's fusion center, made several queries within Danville’s Flock network.
Researchers from 404 Media discovered that STAC had conducted a total of three searches, reaching thousands of Flock networks and devices. The searches were recorded as "HSI investigation" and "HSI vehicle loader," referring to Homeland Security Investigations. Despite the potentially broad implications of these findings, an MPD spokesperson asserted that the usage of out-of-state Flock data was strictly criminal investigation related and "not immigration related," as obtained by Wisconsin Examiner.
MPD's HIDTA (High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area) units, noted for their classified nature, are associated with these inquiries. The public disclosure of such investigative reach has prompted debates within the community regarding the lengths to which surveillance should extend in the name of law enforcement. The majority of these discussions, while centered on the potential benefits in enhancing public safety, cannot escape the shadow of privacy concerns. Milwaukee already maintains a substantial network of over 1,300 registered cameras, through the Community Connect program, that enable MPD real-time access, as outlined by Gazettextra.
