License Plate Readers Spark Privacy Debate Across Minnesota

Undated (KROC-AM News)- Automated License Plate reading cameras have become a hot button issue across Minnesota.

Law enforcement agencies have touted them as a crime fighting tool, saying they can be used to spot stolen vehicles, wanted individuals or suspect vehicles in the event of an Amber Alert.

Critics argue the readers violate privacy. One of the license plate reader manufacturers, Flock, has come under fire for its policy regarding the data collected by its devices.

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License Plate Reader Cameras Cause Stir in Southeast Minnesota

Flock's website indicates its customers, who own the data collected by the readers, have the option to share the data it captures.

Pushback against Flock cameras came to a head in Winona, where someone cut down and stole all eight of the cameras. Winona Police later announced that cameras would not be replaced.

Jay Rasmussen of the Winona Police Department told KROC News last week that the theft of the devices remain under investigation and that so far no arrests have been made.

4 License Plate Reader Cameras Stationed in Rochester

Rochester has four automated license plate reader cameras. Three are Flock cameras and they're all located in the Shoppes on Maine Retail complex in southeast Rochester, according to the website DeFlock Maps.

The Rochester Police Department operates an Axon license plate reading camera that stationed along 41st St. NW.

Earlier this year, the Rochester City Council gave Rochester police permission to apply for a grant to add to its arsenal of automatic license plate readers.

Top 13 Minnesota Cities That Have the Most License Plate Reader Cameras

Southeast Minnesota isn't the only part of the state to have the cameras. Cities all across Minnesota have them set up, some more than others.

Keep scrolling to see the 13 cities that have the most license plate reader cameras.

Top 13 Cities in Minnesota With the Most License Plate Reader Cameras

License plate readers (LPRs) are cameras that automatically capture license plate numbers and can flag vehicles for law enforcement purposes.

This list covers all cities in Minnesota which have 15 or more LPRs in use. Minnesota law requires agencies that use them to report to the state Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA), which publishes the information, including location when disclosed. The data following is directly from the BCA as of October 2026, and does not include cameras mounted on patrol vehicles.

Gallery Credit: Jaime Skelton