All eight Flock license plate reader cameras operated by the Winona Police Department were sawed off and stolen on August 1st, in what investigators believe was a coordinated theft. Patrol officers discovered the cameras missing after they stopped sending alerts. The poles remained, but the cameras were gone.

Two additional Flock cameras on the Mississippi River Bridge, owned by Buffalo County, were also stolen similarly. Each camera costs approximately $3,000, resulting in a total loss of roughly $24,000, which impacts the Winona Police Department's budget. The stolen cameras were positioned at key highway entry and exit points in the city.

Flock Safety cameras are automated license plate readers used by police to investigate crimes and locate missing persons. The thefts in Winona are part of a national trend of vandalism against these cameras, which have faced criticism from civil liberties advocates regarding government surveillance and data privacy. No suspects have been identified, and the investigation is ongoing.