Wisconsin Law Enforcement Used License Plate Readers to Track Man for Cannabis Arrest

The Brown County Sheriff’s Department in Wisconsin employed Flock camera technology to identify and apprehend a Wisconsin resident for purchasing cannabis, according to a recent report. These cameras are designed to record the license plates of vehicles passing by them.

Investigators reportedly leveraged Flock's camera network to trace the individual's journey from Wisconsin, where marijuana possession is categorized as a misdemeanor with potential penalties including up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine for a first offense, to Michigan, where the purchase and possession of recreational cannabis are permitted.

Upon reviewing the man's license plate information, law enforcement noted his frequent travels to Michigan. While the cameras alone could not definitively prove his purpose for visiting Michigan, authorities apparently deemed cross-state travel sufficient grounds for suspicion.

A criminal complaint filed by the police against the man referred to Michigan as a 'known source state for marijuana,' citing its legal status. This designation seemingly provided the justification for the subsequent police action.

After his vehicle's license plate was detected by a Flock camera as he returned from Michigan, law enforcement initiated a coordinated effort to intercept his vehicle. Officers conducted a traffic stop, during which the arresting officer reported detecting the odor of raw marijuana emanating from within the vehicle.

A search of the car subsequently led to the discovery of marijuana, and the man was charged with possession. He was later found guilty of the charge, as reported by 404 Media.

This incident represents another instance of law enforcement utilizing Flock's expansive camera network. While this particular arrest was connected to police work, some view it as a significant overreach of authority. There have also been numerous accounts of police using Flock's system for reasons unrelated to official duties.

For example, reports detail instances of officers in other states using Flock's network to track former romantic partners. In Wisconsin, several officers have faced scrutiny for misusing the technology: a Milwaukee officer resigned after being found to have accessed his ex-partner’s license plate details 179 times over two months; an officer in Menasha was placed on leave for monitoring his former partner's location; and a Kenosha officer resigned following an investigation into his use of Flock cameras to surveil a coworker with whom he had a personal relationship.