Gilbert has no plans to abandon its network of Flock license plate readers, but two Town Council members who split over expanding the system last year remain divided over whether its crime-fighting benefits outweigh privacy concerns.
Councilmember Kenny Buckland, a retired Gilbert police commander, sees the technology as a valuable investigative tool whose misuse should be addressed through safeguards and employee accountability.
Councilmember Monte Lyons sees the issue differently. He opposed expanding the Flock system in June 2025 and remains opposed, saying he believes Gilbert should invest in additional police officers rather than increasingly sophisticated surveillance technology.
