📹 St. Paul removes two Flock cams

Minus Two Flock Cams in St. Paul

The St. Paul City Council unanimously passed a resolution earlier this week calling on the city and Ramsey County to end their Flock contracts. In response, Mayor Kaohly Her and the St. Paul Police Chief announced they were taking down the city’s two Flock cameras located on Kellogg Boulevard and Smith Avenue. [Star Tribune]

• ‘As far as we can’: Ultimately, the resolution amounts to a strong statement by the City Council; the city’s Flock contracts are under the purview of the police and Her’s administration. Convincing Ramsey County Sheriff Bob Fletcher, whose department oversees about a dozen Flock cameras in the city, is another battle for council members. Fletcher is so far a staunch Flock supporter, arguing that the tech has helped sheriffs reduce violent crimes and auto thefts. He also maintains the camera data has not been misused by any county deputy. [Pioneer Press]
• Protests: A once lesser-known police tool has entered public awareness in a big way, particularly as the prevalence of AI gains scrutiny. Check out producer Adam Sage’s footage of a Flock protest on scooters that took place in downtown Minneapolis two weeks ago. [City Cast Twin Cities]
• Trust: Along with public backlash to the use of Flock cameras, officials are contending with a Star Tribune investigation that Flock data collected by local police were accessed by outside agents for federal immigration enforcement. City Council Member Saura Jost clarified there’s no evidence of misuse by St. Paul staff, but acknowledges an erosion of public trust. [Star Tribune / Pioneer Press]

Dire conditions: After St. Paul cleared the encampment at Pig’s Eye Park, staff estimate about 100 people moved to a different encampment at Randolph Avenue. The city has identified only seven people who have gone to shelters for a bed; St. Paul gave Ramsey County $1 million to expand bed availability before closing the Pig’s Eye encampment. [KARE 11]

Kids and phones: Minnesota is getting at least $214 million of a $17 billion settlement from Meta in a trial over the company’s role in teen social media addiction. Meta has also agreed to install safety features on its apps, like preventing kids from using social media between midnight and 6 a.m. Principal Cherise Ayers, who implemented a no-phones policy at St. Paul Central High School, shared her thoughts on phones, social media and the Meta settlement with City Cast Twin Cities. [🎧 City Cast Twin Cities / Minnesota Reformer]

Seeds of change: Cropart.com, a central resource for crop art enjoyers, put together a collection of art honoring Minnesota’s resistance to Operation Metro Surge. All the works are stunning in their own ways, but I especially love the creative seed legends. Thanks to Bluesky user @thejackofkingfield for posting about it. [CropArt.com]

Coronation: If you’re at the Dairy Building today, maybe you’ll spot the 73rd Princess Kay of the Milky Way sitting for her butter sculpture carving. Jena Hanson, a 20-year-old college student from Owatonna, is the dairy industry’s newest ambassador. Minneapolis-St. Paul Magazine captured the moving moment Hanson was crowned, wearing a butter-yellow gown no less. [KARE 11]

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