Lambert supports continued Flock camera use in Dakota County
Bobby LambertDakota County Sheriff's Office sergeant and candidate for Dakota County sheriff
Bobby Lambert said that with Flock Safety's pending updates and improved data security he would support continued use of the cameras in Dakota County, calling them a vital law-enforcement tool.
“With Flock Safety’s pending updates and improved data security and management, I would support their continued use within Dakota County. Flock cameras can be a vital tool for law enforcement to identify and locate unlicensed drivers, stolen vehicles, stolen license plates, missing persons, vulnerable adults, abductions, wanted persons, KOPS (Keeping Our Police Safe) Alerts, Amber Alerts, and individuals who may be in crisis.”
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
West St. Paul Reader questionnaire in which both Dakota County sheriff candidates answered the same written questions, including one on Flock cameras.
Before the quotation
The West St. Paul Reader asked both Dakota County sheriff candidates whether they support the continued use of Flock cameras, citing data privacy concerns and data sharing with the federal government.
After the quotation
Lambert went on to describe Flock's recommended 7-day data retention period, required case codes and an independent security review, and wrote that the issue will require trust from the community, which he would build through honesty, transparency and dialogue.
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 readers such as Flock should exist and be used. Lambert says he would support continued Flock use in Dakota County and calls the cameras a vital tool for finding stolen vehicles, missing people and wanted persons. He cites Flock's own coming security changes rather than setting conditions of his own, so Defended or excused fits.
- Recorded on
- Published here
- People and groups discussed
- Flock Safety
More from this case
Read the full caseJacob Burnett says Flock-style cameras should be done away with, with warrants required if they stay
“The systems themselves can be modified to prevent nearly all abuse and be made more secure by requiring warrants for access or follow through on any data the systems collect and have all data stored on the hardware itself preventing viewing from remote locations, requiring strict login credentials and a connecting warrant number to access. These are common sense changes that if the systems are to be used I feel could correct a lot of abuse or privacy concerns but I also feel the systems should be done away with overall, especially in the realm of predictive crime analytics.”Read statement
Dean Brewer, an independent candidate for Tennessee governor, says Flock cameras should be banned
“I believe flock cameras should be banned.”Read statement
Buddy Carter says license plate cameras help investigators but need privacy safeguards
“Technologies like license plate recognition cameras can provide valuable investigative tools, but they have also raised important questions about privacy and government oversight. As these systems become more common, it is important to balance public safety with appropriate safeguards that protect individual privacy.”Read statement
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- Lambert supports continued Flock camera use in Dakota County
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The Dispute Index. "Lambert supports continued Flock camera use in Dakota County". First published: 2026-09-29. Last updated: 2026-09-29. https://disputeindex.com/events/3188-bobby-lambert-said-that-with-flock-safety-s