University of Minnesota Removed Campus Surveillance Camera
The police department pulled one license plate reader from the West Bank campus following community concerns.
Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Law Enforcement
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The University of Minnesota Police Department removed a single Flock Safety camera from its West Bank campus. The move follows feedback from local residents regarding the use of automatic license plate reader technology on school grounds.
Why it matters
The decision reflects an effort by the University to address public apprehension surrounding surveillance tools and bolster trust with the community. Officials aim to balance institutional security needs with the privacy concerns of students and area residents.
The University continues to operate 14 other license plate reader cameras on and around campus. Data collected from these devices is purged after 30 days and remains subject to monthly audits.
The players
University of Minnesota Police Department
The agency is responsible for law enforcement operations across the university campuses.
The details
While the University of Minnesota Police Department uses these devices to capture license plate, time, date, and location data, they are prohibited from using them for facial recognition or gunshot detection. Furthermore, departmental policy forbids sharing this technology or its data with Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Timeline
September 2026: Residents voiced concerns that prompted the camera removal.
Legal Context
The University's actions are governed by Minnesota statute 13.824, which provides the framework for how agencies may collect and store license plate data. This removal marks a departure from standard deployments as the school navigates public pressure regarding the use of surveillance tech.
Residents and students on the West Bank campus will see one less license plate reader in operation following the removal. The department continues to follow protocols that prohibit the use of this data for immigration enforcement.
The takeaway
Community feedback remains a significant driver in how modern educational institutions deploy security technology. Balancing public privacy concerns with campus security remains an ongoing challenge for administrative officials.
Further reading
For broader updates on regional safety policies, visit Law Enforcement.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Minnesota Daily.
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