We requested time to share our side of the story at the August 25 City Council meeting. Instead, the city has decided to bring Flock to try to explain itself. This is a company that appears to have lied to city councils in the past about their business practices. Their incentives are shaped by continuing to profit off of the communities they are surveilling.
We’ve asked for equal time and that the city bring in the ACLU, EFF or the Institute for Justice to give an unbiased opinion from a group who does not stand to benefit financially from their statements to the council. The Council has a Fiduciary Responsibility to the tax payers, and bringing in only one biased opinion calls into question that responsibility.
If you care about government spying on you, we urge you to come and voice your opinion. There will be a straw poll on whether the city should continue using ALPRs. Although a straw poll is not necessarily a final vote or binding decision, the council’s understanding of public opinion will be important. Your voice is critical. If you support ending or pausing the use of Flock cameras, please attend and make your position clear.
Meeting details
Date: Tuesday, August 25, 2026
Location: Rolling Meadows City Hall, Council Chambers
Address: 3600 Kirchoff Road, Rolling Meadows, IL 60008
Get a yellow sticker to show your support!
The Committee of the Whole meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. The regular City Council meeting will begin afterward, but not before 7:00 p.m. Flock cameras and ALPR use are on the agenda.
If you plan to speak, arrive by 6:15 p.m. so you have time to find a seat and prepare.
Where to go when you arrive
Enter through the front door of City Hall. Once inside:
- Walk past the windows for the Finance Office and the Community Development Office.
- Go up the stairs.
- At the top of the stairs, turn left.
- Walk around the hall.
- The Council Chambers will be ahead.
Be polite and respectful
Please remember that Rolling Meadows alderpersons and council members serve because they care about the city. They give their time and energy to the community, and they deserve our appreciation—even when residents disagree with a proposal or decision.
Please thank the council for its service and time. Speak firmly about your concerns, but remain polite and respectful. Do not make threats, personally attack officials, or interrupt the meeting. The goal is to persuade the council and demonstrate that residents can participate thoughtfully and constructively.
If you are comfortable speaking ,you might begin by saying:
Hello, my name is ________, and I am a resident of Rolling Meadows.
Thank you to the mayor and City Council for your service to our city and for taking the time to hear from residents tonight.
I appreciate the work you do for Rolling Meadows. I am here because I have serious concerns about the continued use of Flock cameras and ALPRs.
Speech starters
Cost and priorities
I am concerned about whether the cost of Flock is justified by documented results. Before the city spends more taxpayer money, I believe residents deserve clear evidence showing how often the system has solved crimes, prevented crimes, or recovered stolen vehicles.
If the city cannot demonstrate measurable benefits, I ask the council to consider whether this money would be better spent on other proven public-safety priorities.
Liability and accountability
I am concerned that Flock creates legal and financial liability for the city if the system is misused, if information is shared improperly, or if residents are wrongly identified or investigated.
I ask the council to require strong access controls, written policies, independent audits, public reporting, and meaningful consequences for misuse.
Reputational risk
Rolling Meadows has a reputation as a community that values responsible government. Continuing a controversial surveillance system without transparent proof of effectiveness could damage the city’s reputation.
I ask the council to consider whether renewing this contract strengthens or weakens residents’ confidence in our city.
Stalking and misuse across the country
The risk of misuse is not theoretical. Across the country, law-enforcement personnel have been accused of using automated license plate reader systems to track former partners, acquaintances, and other people for personal reasons.
These cases show why authorized access alone is not enough. The city must have strong safeguards, regular audits, and independent oversight.
Transparency and the company’s claims
I am concerned about whether Flock’s public statements fully explain what the system can do, how long information is retained, how data is shared, and how misuse is prevented.
Residents should not have to rely only on marketing materials or assurances. We need clear contracts, policies, audit results, sharing records, and documented outcomes.
Fear of AI surveillance
I am concerned that ALPR data could become part of a broader system of automated or AI-assisted surveillance.
We should establish clear limits before new features or software updates expand the system’s capabilities. The city should not allow surveillance to grow beyond what residents understood or approved.
Trust in the police department and city
I want to trust our police department and city government. That trust requires more than being told that the system is safe. It requires transparency about who can access the data, how searches are reviewed, and what happens when rules are violated.
Public safety depends on cooperation between residents and police. That cooperation becomes harder when people feel they are being monitored without meaningful public consent or oversight.
End with a clear request
I ask the council to vote against continuing the use of Flock cameras and ALPRs in Rolling Meadows.
Or:
Thank you for your time, your service, and your commitment to Rolling Meadows. I hope you will consider these concerns and support ending the use of Flock ALPRs.
The straw poll is an important opportunity for the council to hear directly from residents. Please attend, be respectful, thank the council members for their service, and make sure your voice is counted.