On July 23rd, 2026, Clearwater County’s Sheriff John Smith announced that the County would allow their contract with Flock to lapse as Flock had not provided them with the results they wanted.

“The Clearwater County Sheriff’s Office is providing notice that we will not be renewing our agreement for the Flock camera system. Our current contract will conclude on September 22, 2026.

When we entered this agreement, our goal was to evaluate whether this technology would provide a meaningful benefit to public safety in Clearwater County. After approximately nine months of use, I have determined that the system has not demonstrated sufficient operational value to justify its continued cost based on the needs of our office and our community.

Our contract allows us to provide a notice of non-renewal, and I have made the decision to discontinue the program. The funds previously dedicated to this system will instead be directed toward equipment to support core law enforcement functions, including proactive patrol, criminal investigations, and other public safety priorities that I believe will provide a greater return for the citizens of Clearwater County.

The Sheriff’s Office will fulfill all contractual obligations regarding the deactivation and removal of the equipment. We will provide additional information as the transition moves forward and the final operational timeline is established.

As Sheriff, I have a responsibility to evaluate every program and every expenditure to ensure we are making the best use of taxpayer resources. While I appreciate the opportunity to evaluate this technology, I believe this decision is in the best interest of Clearwater County. My commitment remains the same: to provide professional, effective law enforcement while being a responsible steward of the public’s trust and resources.”

Salmon has similarly pledged to not pursue ALPR technology, Flock or otherwise, at this time. Resolution 2026-05 follows a community discussion where residents detailed their concerns about Flock and other ALPR systems.

This resolution, however, still allows Salmon to pursue ALPR in the future. Keep making your voice heard.