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October 15, 2026 · Appleton, WI · Policy

Appleton, Wisconsin council votes Oct. 21 on a near-total ban on city license plate readers

The Appleton Common Council is scheduled to consider Resolution #16-R-26, "Limiting the Use of ALPR Cameras in the City of Appleton," at its Oct. 21 meeting, after the Safety and Licensing Committee backed it 3-1, The Post-Crescent reported. The amended resolution says the city "will not acquire, install, operate, use or fund" automated license plate readers, with exceptions for parking enforcement, controlled-access areas closed to the public, and weigh stations; data could not be kept more than 30 days or used beyond those purposes. The committee narrowed an earlier version that would have banned ALPRs "within its jurisdiction" so that the rule applies only to city government. The resolution was introduced by Alderperson Adrian Stancil-Martin. Appleton already ended its use of Flock in June, and Police Chief Polly Olson confirmed officers no longer have access to Flock data. A separate resolution on oversight standards for ALPR and other surveillance technology remains with city staff. In nearby Oshkosh, the Common Council tabled its own ALPR resolution to consider stronger language, NBC 26 reported.

Local file: appleton, WI

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