Embattled surveillance tech firm Flock Safety is offering a “generous” severance package for voluntary employee departures, aiming to shrink its 1,500-strong workforce amid a storm of controversy. The company expects most interested employees to accept the buyouts, with the majority of applicants set for this exit. Flock’s internal memo described the packages as the ‘most generous’ ever offered.

Employees are leaving not just for the money, but also from a sense of demoralisation following the ongoing backlash over Flock’s license plate recognition technology. In August, The Washington Post reported 46 cases of alleged misuse, including stalking incidents. Florida and Texas have already banned the tech, and 90 cities did the same in August, a fourfold increase from the previous month.

Flock’s CEO, Garrett Langley, told the All-In podcast that the backlash has hit internal morale hardest. By letting go of these troubled souls, Flock hopes to quell the flames that have been burning its reputation. The question remains: can a generous exit package truly mend the cracks in a fractured community?