MILWAUKEE — A Milwaukee alderwoman said she plans to remove funding for Flock license-plate reader cameras from next year’s city budget unless the public is given an opportunity to weigh in on the technology. Ald. Marina Dimitrijevic made the announcement Sept. 17 during a packed Milwaukee Fire and Police Commission meeting devoted to the Police Department’s use of Flock cameras. She said she and Ald. Alex Brower also intend to introduce a charter amendment requiring future automated license-plate reader contracts to come before the Common Council. Dozens of residents at the meeting urged the city to end its Flock contract. Their concerns included how the system collects, stores and shares vehicle-location data. Flock cameras automatically capture license plates and other vehicle details, allowing police to search for cars connected to investigations. Supporters describe the technology as a tool for locating suspects and recovering vehicles, while critics have raised concerns about surveillance, privacy and the potential for misuse. Heather Hough, the Milwaukee Police Department’s chief of staff, defended the system at the meeting. She said officers need tools that can help them quickly apprehend people accused of harming community members. Ending the current contract, she said, would require the department to select another license-plate reader provider and create new safeguards. MPD has recently tightened access to Flock data. The department barred outside agencies from accessing the system and limited access within MPD to supervisors. Those changes followed charges against two former Milwaukee police officers accused of misusing the cameras. Police Chief Jeffrey Norman, who participated in the meeting virtually, said he shares concerns about possible misuse and is listening to residents. The Fire and Police Commission took no formal action. Commissioners said they planned to consult with the city attorney before deciding what steps to take next. Milwaukee’s debate comes as several other southeastern Wisconsin communities have ended or declined to renew their Flock contracts. Any effort to remove funding from the city budget or require council approval for future contracts would still need to move through Milwaukee’s budget and legislative processes.