# Anoka County Expands Public Safety Surveillance

In July 2026, Anoka County Sheriff Brad Wise signed a $174,999 contract with Flock Safety to launch a one-year public safety pilot program involving up to 75 additional automated license plate reader (ALPR) cameras and approximately 10 drones. The contract was deliberately priced just below the $175,000 threshold to bypass formal County Board approval, enabling expedited deployment. This initiative aims to enhance emergency response capabilities by allowing individual cities within the county to voluntarily opt into the expanded surveillance program. However, the contract and its execution have raised concerns among county officials and residents regarding transparency, data privacy, and the use of private cloud storage for sensitive information.

- **Why this matters:** Procurement professionals should note the strategic use of contract value thresholds to expedite acquisitions, which may impact oversight and stakeholder engagement.
- The pilot program represents a growing trend in integrating drone technology and ALPR systems for public safety, creating opportunities for vendors specializing in surveillance and emergency response technologies.
- Privacy and data management concerns highlight the importance of clear contractual terms regarding data storage, access, and compliance with local policies.
- Agencies and contractors should prepare for potential policy discussions and community engagement requirements as similar surveillance initiatives expand in other jurisdictions.

**Jurisdictions:** sled
**Industries:** Public Safety
**Topics:** Digital Infrastructure
**Published:** July 30, 2026

### Government Entities
- Anoka County Sheriff's Office
- Anoka County Board
- Anoka County Board of Commissioners
- Minnesota State Senate

### Vendors
- Flock Safety (prime contractor)

### Key Quotes
> The way this program will work is that we'll have access to 75 ALPR cameras, and the cities will be able to voluntarily choose whether they want them and where they would want them.
> — Brad Wise, Sheriff

> All of the data right now, as we know, is being stored in a private company's cloud. And that goes far beyond the reach of Anoka County, and that's the concern, that creates a lot of anxiety.
> — Heather Gustafson, State Senator

> Major initiatives affecting our communities are strongest when they are developed through transparency, collaboration, and public engagement.
> — Mandy Meisner, County Commissioner

### Sources
- [MINNEAPOLIMEDIA NEWS | Flock Camera and Drone Contract Signed One Dollar Below County Board Approval Threshold | MinneapoliMedia](https://minneapolimedia.town.news/g/coon-rapids-mn/n/382560/minneapolimedia-news-flock-camera-and-drone-contract-signed-one-dollar) - MinneapoliMedia
- [Anoka County's Sheriff Signed a $174,999 Flock Safety Contract - Exactly $1 Under the Threshold Requiring Public Board Approval - Gadget Review](https://www.gadgetreview.com/anoka-countys-sheriff-signed-a-174999-flock-safety-contract-exactly-1-under-the-threshold-requiring-public-board-approval) - Gadget Review
- [Anoka County Sheriff defends, explains Flock camera pilot program to local officials in county](https://www.yahoo.com/news/us/articles/anoka-county-sheriff-defends-explains-021421406.html) - Yahoo