Even as the Milwaukee Police Department backed away from facial recognition technology earlier this year after strong public criticism, records obtained by NNS show the department’s overall surveillance infrastructure continues to grow. The number of cameras, license plate readers and other surveillance technologies available to the department has increased in recent years, along with the amount of money spent on these systems. As was the case with facial recognition technology, MPD leaders say the tools help solve crimes and can make investigations more efficient Critics, however, warn that an expanding surveillance infrastructure could make future monitoring technologies more powerful and raise concerns about privacy, oversight and civil rights violations – the same concerns raised over facial recognition technology. Vaun Mayes, community activist and violence interrupter for the city’s Department of Community Wellness and Safety, says the cameras are a problem. “People don’t want their rights or privacy threatened or infringed on,” Mayes said. Critics are also questioning whether the department has produced evidence showing the surveillance expansion has led to measurable improvements in crime-solving or public safety. More cameras, more systems As of June 2026, MPD had access to 1,749 cameras, according to department records. Included are 1,200 body-worn cameras, 390 squad-car cameras and 159 fixed cameras. While many of the cameras serve general surveillance purposes, a growing number are part of automatic license plate reader, or ALPR, systems. MPD risk manager James Lewis said the department currently uses three separate ALPR platforms operated by different vendors: Flock Safety, Genetec and Axon. The Genetec system includes 39 fixed ALPR cameras. Officers can also access a cloud-based Flock Safety network consisting of 35 ALPR cameras. Axon ALPR technology is also installed on 80 MPD patrol vehicles, allowing officers to capture and compare license plate data while on patrol. Records show MPD’s