Patrick Barry opposes Flock deployment without stronger safeguards
Patrick BarryCarver County, Minnesota, chief deputy sheriff and candidate for sheriff
Patrick Barry said license plate readers can help solve crimes but that he does not support deploying Flock cameras as designed without stronger safeguards and community input. He listed conditions for any future use, including data limits, audits and public reporting.
“Automated license plate readers can help solve crimes, but public safety cannot come at the expense of privacy and public trust. I do not support deploying Flock cameras as designed without stronger safeguards and community input. Any future consideration should include a clear public-safety need, cost-benefit analysis, strict limits on data retention and access, prohibitions on improper sharing or tracking, regular audits, and transparent public reporting. Because many communities contract with the Sheriff’s Office for law enforcement services, local elected officials and residents should also have a voice. Technology should serve the community while protecting constitutional rights and individual privacy.”
Interview
Where this statement fits
Should Flock-style license-plate surveillance networks exist?
Networked automated license-plate readers record passing vehicles and let agencies search or share travel records across locations. Candidates and officials disagree over whether to prohibit these networks, keep them with legal limits, or defend their use for investigations. This tracker records attributable positions on that choice, including proposals that would affect only public funding or data access.
Source and context
Interview
About this source
Sun Patriot candidate questionnaire for the 2026 Carver County, Minnesota, sheriff race, publishing both candidates' unedited written answers.
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)Before the quotation
The Sun Patriot asked both Carver County sheriff candidates what approach the office should take toward Flock cameras and other license plate readers and published their unedited written answers, limited to 100 words each.
After the quotation
His opponent, Jessica Heger, answered that she would not pursue license plate readers at this time. In the same questionnaire, Barry said he has served nearly eight years as the office's chief deputy.
How this statement is classified
The label describes this statement's response within the context above.
Why this label?
The reference point is whether networked license-plate reader systems such as Flock should exist and be used. Barry says the readers can help solve crimes but that he does not support deploying Flock cameras as designed without stronger safeguards and community input. He lists conditions for any future use, so Mixed or conditional fits rather than Condemned.
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- Published here
- People and groups discussed
- Flock Safety
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The Dispute Index. "Patrick Barry opposes Flock deployment without stronger safeguards". First published: 2026-09-29. Last updated: 2026-09-29. https://disputeindex.com/events/3176-patrick-barry-said-license-plate-readers-can-help