WAUSAU, WI – Tom Tiffany called for stronger protections against government surveillance in Wisconsin, announcing that as governor he will pause state funding for Flock cameras while convening a task force on day one to establish clear safeguards for personal privacy.

The proposal comes as David Crowley has spent years pushing for more automated cameras and license plate readers. As a state legislator, Crowley authored legislation to authorize automated speed and red-light cameras in Milwaukee. As Milwaukee County Executive, he has repeatedly proposed or approved hundreds of thousands of dollars in funding for automated license plate readers and Flock surveillance cameras.

“When it comes to Flock, personal privacy needs to come first. Government should not be building an AI surveillance network that tracks law-abiding Wisconsinites everywhere they drive,” said Tom Tiffany. “As governor, I will make this a day one priority by pausing state funding for Flock and bringing together a task force to establish stronger privacy protections, penalties for misuse, limits on data retention and sharing, and safeguards against Communist China and foreign adversaries.”

Tiffany’s task force would examine how Flock is used across Wisconsin and recommend statewide guardrails. Tiffany would also prevent shared revenue dollars from being used to fund Flock cameras until the review is complete and strong privacy protections are in place.

“David Crowley has repeatedly pushed for more red-light cameras, speed cameras, automated license plate readers, and taxpayer-funded AI surveillance. His answer has always been to give government more power to watch you,” continued Tiffany. “I reject that ready-fire-aim approach. Traditional security cameras can help law enforcement solve serious crimes, but public safety cannot become a blank check for warrantless AI government surveillance.”

Background:

  • While in the Legislature, David Crowley introduced legislation that would have authorized automated traffic enforcement in Milwaukee, including speed cameras that photograph license plates and red-light cameras. The proposal would have resulted in up to 75 automated enforcement cameras across Milwaukee.
  • As Milwaukee County Executive, Crowley approved the 2021 budget, which included more than $250,000 for automated license plate readers (page 134).
  • In 2022 and 2023, Crowley requested additional funding for automated license plate readers.
  • In 2025, Crowley signed a county budget allocating $142,000 for Flock surveillance cameras.
  • In 2026, Crowley signed a county budget increasing funding for Flock surveillance cameras to $156,200.