The Appleton Common Council voted 11-1 on Oct. 21 to sharply restrict the city's use of automatic license plate readers.
The amended resolution states that the city will not acquire, install, operate, use or fund the cameras, with limited exceptions that include parking enforcement. An earlier version would have applied more broadly within the city, and council members narrowed it to city government amid questions about enforcement on private property.
The measure was introduced by council member Adrian Stancil-Martin, who said the city can support its police department while also respecting privacy. Council member Brad Firkus cast the lone vote against it.
Council member Denise Fenton said she began by viewing one vendor, Flock Safety, as the problem and came to believe she did not have confidence in any of the companies offering the technology. Appleton ended its contract with Flock Safety earlier this year, and its police chief has said the department has no access to that system.
Residents who spoke before the vote urged the council to act, raising concerns about warrantless surveillance and the collection and sharing of plate data. Supporters in the audience described the vote as a chance for Appleton to set an example for other Wisconsin communities.
