The Routt County Sheriff’s Office is ending its contract with Flock Safety and is in the process of deactivating all automated license plate reader cameras in unincorporated Routt County, according to a statement released Wednesday. 

The announcement comes after Steamboat Springs Police Chief Mark Beckett ordered the immediate deactivation of all Flock cameras within Steamboat city limits on Thursday, one day after a packed, often tense public forum where Beckett defended the technology as community members questioned privacy risks, data-sharing issues and potential misuse. 

“Public safety depends on more than technology. It depends on trust,” said Routt County Sheriff Doug Scherar in the statement. “While automated license plate reader systems can be valuable investigative tools, maintaining the confidence of the community we serve is equally important.” 

Hayden Police Chief Scott Scurlock told the newspaper in a Wednesday statement that his department is “actively investigating whether to continue using (automated license plate reader) technology while weighing privacy and misconduct concerns against the public safety benefits this technology has already demonstrated.”

The topic has been placed on the agenda for the Hayden Town Council’s meeting at 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 3.

The RSCO acknowledged the varying perspectives among community members on the use of automated license plate readers, noting that some residents view it as an effective public safety tool while others have serious concerns with privacy and transparency, or lack thereof. 

The deactivation of the county Flock system will begin immediately. The RSCO is in the process of submitting a notice to terminate its contract with Flock. 

Going forward, the sheriff’s office says it will continue exploring investigative tools and strategies that help ensure community safety while maintaining accountability and public trust.