Hey Locals,

AI technology and immigration enforcement have captured national attention in recent weeks. In today's newsletter, we explore how these topics intersect locally, addressing a reader's question: Could AI-powered Flock license plate recognition cameras (used by the FWPD) pose a security threat to immigrants or other residents? Stay tuned for details in Above the Fold.

In Briefs, we fill you in on City Council’s proposed changes to its public comment sessions – up for discussion tonight! Plus, why Fort Wayne’s number of high-income households increased 60% between 2023-2024.

In our To Do List, we share lots of ways to spread some love this week for Valentine’s Day from wine and charcuterie in the great outdoors to dance parties Downtown and cozy crafting.

Don’t pho-get: In February, we’re partnering with Banh Mi Pho Shop on Fairfield to bring all paid subscribers to The Local a FREE Boba tea drink with the purchase of any food item ($5 or more).

Now, let’s get started.

NOTE: Links to Journal Gazette articles are marked(*) and may be behind a paywall.

What the Flock?

Are these surveillance cams a security threat?

What's happening?

Last weekend, more than 500 people attended Mayor Sharon Tucker’s ICE Forum* with local law enforcement, where officials assured residents that local resources do not assist the federal government’s immigration enforcement efforts. But does this assurance extend to the city’s network of Flock public surveillance cameras our readers have spotted around town? And at a time of pervasive national distrust of government, law enforcement and AI tools, do Flock cameras (specifically) pose security risks for immigrants and other populations? 

• What are they? Flock license-plate recognition cameras are AI-powered tools used by police departments, corporations and other entities, like housing associations, in most (49) states across the U.S. often to assist in law enforcement. Data gathered by this vast network of 80,000+ cameras is entered into a single database where law enforcement can search for plates traveling anywhere in the country.
• But in recent months: citizens near and far have been questioning Flock's security vulnerabilities and business practices, like installing or leaving active cameras in cities where local governments have terminated contracts for them.
• In fact: The ACLU says Flock's system is creating "dangerous nationwide mass-surveillance infrastructure" and "is being used by ICE to help carry out the Trump Administration’s abusive removal program."

So... how many Flock cameras are in Fort Wayne? How are they being used (and funded)? And what benefits and risks should residents know about?

We break down what to know in this week’s Above the Fold newsletter on Thursday – available to paid subscribers only.

• City Council canceled its meeting last week on Feb. 3 due to "low volume of new business.” This rare cancellation of council’s weekly meeting marks the second odd move under the tenure of new Council President Marty Bender (R-At Large), who also unexpectedly canceled public comment at the first meeting of 2026. Council noted that the cancellation on Feb. 3 will not affect the passage of any ordinances. The next voting meeting is tonight (Feb. 10), when council will discuss moving its regular public comment period to the beginning of its first and third meetings each month. Some say this change may give citizens more opportunity to weigh in on timely matters compared to council’s current schedule, which puts public comment after voting on 2nd and 4th Tuesdays.
• Fort Wayne ranked 21st on SmartAsset’s Top 50 Cities with the fastest growth in high-income households. Based on U.S. Census Bureau data, the number of households earning $200,000 or more increased 60% from 2023-2024, from 4,262 to 6,619 (making up 5.9 % of total households). In The JG, Greater Fort Wayne Inc. attributes this growth to its 2022 Allen County Together (ACT) Economic Development Action Plan, which helped attract jobs with average wages more than 20% above the local average in 2024, and 33% above average in 2025. Still, Director of Purdue Fort Wayne’s Community Research Institute, Rachel Blakeman, tells WANE 15 the percentage increase is high (60%) in part because Fort Wayne didn’t have a high percentage of high-income households to begin with.
• The Fort Wayne Housing Authority recently opened a new 24-bedroom apartment complex for adults experiencing chronic homelessness. The three-story building, Hillcrest Commons, is on the site of the former Hillcrest Elementary at 711 East Tillman Rd., which the FWHA purchased (next door to its own location). It’s partnering with Parkview Behavioral Health Institute to support residents with long-term stability. Mayor Sharon Tucker tells WANE 15 the project fits her priority to address housing in ways beyond temporary shelters, providing more “permanent solutions.” The development offers one-bedroom units with a community kitchen, fitness room, lounges, laundry facilities, and courtyard garden all subsidized by FWHA vouchers. 

• Last weekend's heated 90-minute ICE Forum sought to assure residents to rely on local law enforcement regardless of their immigration status. The forum featured panelists Mayor Sharon Tucker, Fire Chief Eric Lahey, Immigration Attorney Jerri Mead and Fort Wayne Police Chief PJ Smith who explained that FWPD officers do not check immigration status during routine work, and while they cannot legally interfere with ICE officers making arrests, they "will act if that person is violating their constitutional rights.” The Fort Wayne area currently has two ICE agents, covering 16 counties across the region. During public comment, many citizens spoke against the Trump administration’s enforcement tactics. Mead noted that while ethical practices (like Miranda rights) are required to be used by police, ICE agents are not police. "They're pushing how far can we go, how far the American people (are) going to let us do this to them," she said. Related: More than 50 South Side High School students walked out of school Friday to protest ICE along South Calhoun Street.
• Fort Wayne residents are sharing concerns about skyrocketing NIPSCO gas charges. WANE 15 reports that some customers appear to have bills that double or triple their typical costs. NIPSCO attributes this to cold temperatures resulting in higher charges during winter months. But in social media posts and online forums, residents fear utility prices will continue to rise as more data centers come online in the state. In November, an Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) investigation into billing discrepancies also found issues with the rollout of NIPSCO’s Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI). NIPSCO says this affects less than 1% of their customers (who will receive refunds for 12 months of usage).

More things To Do...

• Sip: on some Galentine’s tea at Ophelia’s High Tea Tuesday and Thursday for Valentine’s Day on Feb. 10 and 12, featuring small bites, pastries, and more.  (Reservations required).
• Un’Wined: at LC Nature Park on Feb. 13, 5-7 p.m., featuring an evening outdoors with charcuterie and wine. ($25)
• Try: fresh Korean rice cakes from Chicago, delivered weekly to True Kimchi Cafe on Thursdays, starting this week. “Korean rice cakes, or tteok (떡), are a staple in Korean cuisine, known for their chewy, soft, and slightly bouncy texture,” the shop says.
• Check out: the 260 Perspective’s roundup of Valentine’s Day deals Downtown, including free entry to Cupid’s Club at The Fairfield on Feb. 13-14, 8 p.m.-11 a.m. featuring themed drinks, live DJs and more. 
• Dine: at Good Bread for All’s first Dinner Club event on Feb. 13 at 5 p.m. and 8 p.m., featuring a French dinner theme with vegan, gf, and soy-free “beef” bourguignon.
• Read: Councilwoman Rohli Booker’s IG post on “How to Engage City Council,” featuring helpful tips for citizen advocates.
• Dance: at Stay Up’s Red Light Special at the Brass Rail on Feb. 14, 9 p.m.-1 a.m., with Fresh Ben and She Cut It. ($12)
• Celebrate: Black History Month with youth art classes at the Allen County Public Library all month, including Art in Circles (inspired by Alma Thomas) and The Art of Fun (collage art inspired by Christian Robinson).

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Have a great week, Locals!

-Your Editor, Kara Hackett