GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) — As public scrutiny grows around Automated License Plate Reader cameras, also known as ALPR’s, a case involving Flock Safety in Brown County has gone viral.
In April 2025, now 32 year old Edward Earl Abrams-Phillips Jr. of Green Bay was charged with possession of THC after police used Flock camera data to determine that his vehicle had traveled to Michigan, a legal marijuana state, and back to Wisconsin on several occasions. But this time, he was pulled over in Suamico by a Brown County deputy upon his return.
According to the criminal complaint, the deputy could smell marijuana, Abrams-Phillips was asked to exit his vehicle, and a search was conducted.
“It’s strong armed tactics by law enforcement. And right now cannabis is a low-hanging fruit in this whole scheme of over-policing people for no reason,” said Jay Selthofner, founder of the Wisconsin Cannabis Activist Network. “We would like to see law enforcement officers use resources on stuff that’s more important than simple cannabis possession.”
Reem Suleiman, senior campaign director with nonprofit advocacy group Fight for the Future says cases like these are not unusual when it comes to Flock.
“Flock cameras have been used to surveil ‘No Kings’ protesters. They’ve been used to investigate abortion seekers. They’ve been used to stalk ex-partners. I’m pretty sure that is not a sanctioned use of these cameras,” said Suleiman. “But it keeps happening because it is an intrinsic feature of surveillance.”
This case isn’t just about the THC charge. Abrams-Phillips had a warrant for his arrest for bail jumping on domestic violence charges from a November 2024 incident.
But, that bail jumping charge was later dismissed while the possession of THC charge remained.
In reviewing the criminal complaint for the case I [Rachel Charniak] had several questions.
I want to know when, where, and how officers decide to use Flock hits.
And why was that felony bail jumping charge was dismissed, but the possession of THC charge remained?
Also, how often are people getting pulled over for taking a trip to Michigan, Illinois, or Minnesota?
To ask these questions and get some more perspective, I reached out to the Brown County Sheriff’s Office, Brown County Clerk of Courts, Brown County District Attorney, Brown County Executive and Flock Safety.
In all these cases, I was either referred to somebody else I already tried to reach, they declined to comment, or my emails and voicemails went unanswered.
I also attempted to contact the defendant, Edward Earl Abrams-Phillips, but was unable to reach him.
Flock cameras have most notably seen public pushback for alleged data collecting and sharing and mass surveillance. While some proponents of the technology argue it shouldn’t be an issue if you’re not a criminal, Suleiman pointed to instances shortly after 9/11 where individuals in muslim communities were targeted by law enforcement.
“People had this reaction that if I have nothing to hide, I should just talk to them, even though the agent didn’t have any warrant or reasons,” she said. “A lot of these people got every other bits of their business, whether it’s their taxes or their charitable giving, scrutinized so they could be caught on something else.”
While we have heard of some cases where Flock cameras helped solve a crime already committed like in cases of missing people, carjackings, etc. Suleiman says we should take a different, more preventative approach to crime.
“The only solution is to reinvest in communities and things that we know are actually going to have a real preventative effect on crime, like affordable housing, affordability in general, and we know that it’s not surveillance,” said Suleiman.
The City of Green Bay is one of few municipalities in Northeast Wisconsin that continues to use and advocate for ALPR’s. The Green Bay Police Department has utilized the technology since 2022.
On Monday, the department updated their ALPR policy and hosted a press conference.
“ALPR technology is only one technology that we have access to with sensitive information about people,” said Police Chief Chris Davis. “We all know as police officers there are consequences for misusing that information. ALPR data is really no different.”
Some of Green Bay’s policy changes include shorter data retention periods, stricter requirements for searches, limited data sharing with other agencies and more. But before the policy officially takes effect there is a public comment period online. But even if those public comments overwhelmingly call for Flock’s removal…
“I don’t think it would be responsible to take negative sentiment and use that to make public safety policy,” said Chief Davis. “We make public safety policy based on the law, the best interests of our community, and on our number one responsibility which is keeping the community safe.”
According to flockcameralocations.com, there are over 2,000 flock cameras in the state of Wisconsin. But, those numbers are likely to drop as several communities begin taking them down.
In Northeast Wisconsin, Appleton, Oshkosh, De Pere, Manitowoc, Grand Chute, Kaukauna, Neenah, Menasha, Marinette, and also Waupaca and Winnebago Counties have all decided to end their Flock contracts.
