Flock cameras

MapQuest has added a feature to its app that displays the locations of known Flock outdoor surveillance cameras in users' neighborhoods. Flock's automated license plate reader cameras, widely deployed by police and communities across the United States, have drawn growing criticism over mass surveillance and privacy concerns, and the feature gives residents an easy way to see where the devices are placed.

Representative Rashida Tlaib has introduced legislation to prohibit federal funding for Flock technology, the automated license plate reader and surveillance systems used by police departments across the United States. The bill targets the use of taxpayer money for the company's camera networks, which civil liberties critics have long argued enable mass tracking of drivers. Details on the bill's prospects and support remain limited so far.

Bernie Sanders held a rally in Tampa, Florida, drawing more than 2,000 people, where he endorsed state Representative Angie Nixon, saying she will be Florida's next senator. The event is part of his push for progressive candidates, and Sanders has also been promoting legislation cracking down on Flock surveillance cameras, a topic drawing broader debate over the expanding surveillance state.

The Sonoma County Commission on Human Rights will hold a public forum on October 19 addressing Flock automatic license plate reader cameras. The event gives residents a chance to raise questions about surveillance, privacy and how the camera network is used by law enforcement in the county. The announcement was reported by the Sonoma Sun.

Published footage shows a search conducted using Flock automated license plate reader cameras that a judge ruled unconstitutional. The release, reported by 404 Media, offers a rare look at how law enforcement uses the surveillance network and how courts are pushing back on warrantless queries. Commenters are debating the ruling's implications for privacy and police use of automated plate data.

A new guide explains how citizens can track and map the locations of Flock Safety cameras, the automated license plate readers widely deployed by police departments and neighborhoods across the United States. The guide highlights growing public interest in where these surveillance devices operate and raises questions about transparency, privacy and accountability in automated policing.

The Savannah Police Department fired officer Amber Harpe in August after an internal investigation found she shared her Flock camera system login with her husband, Tyler Harpe, an ICE agent. The department does not share its Flock data with ICE, and officials said the unauthorized access violated policy, prompting the termination.

A man has built his own DIY version of Flock license-plate surveillance cameras, and police are not happy about it, according to Jalopnik. The story is being shared with a satirical framing about 'who watches the watchers', highlighting the irony of civilians turning surveillance tools back on authorities and the official objections that followed.

A public forum on Flock Safety's license plate readers will be hosted at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds, giving residents a chance to weigh in on the surveillance technology. Discussion is expected to focus on how the cameras are used, data retention, and privacy concerns. The event comes as communities across California debate the expansion of automated plate-reading systems by local law enforcement.

Alpharetta, Georgia spent $17,000 on Flock Safety license-plate reading cameras in 2020, but by 2025 the city's total bill had climbed to $381,000, according to Gadget Review. The figures highlight how rapidly surveillance technology subscriptions and expansion can multiply local government spending over just five years, raising questions about oversight of public safety tech budgets.

A Canadian YouTuber built a camera system resembling Flock Safety's automated license plate readers, but configured it to track police vehicles instead of civilians. Officers reportedly visited his home to raise privacy concerns about the project. The story is drawing attention because the same surveillance technology sold to police for monitoring the public was turned back on law enforcement itself.

Richmond is moving to end its use of Flock, the automated license plate reading camera system, but the underlying technology could remain in place in some form. The report from RVA Mag has drawn attention to how the city will balance privacy concerns with continued surveillance capabilities as officials decide what stays and what goes.

Flock safety camera data collected around Old Dominion University has been turned over to the FBI following the terror attack at ODU. The license-plate reading footage is expected to help federal investigators trace movements connected to the incident. The handover highlights how quickly local surveillance systems are folded into federal terrorism probes, and has drawn attention to the role of private camera networks in investigations.

Newly released records show the FBI accessed license plate reader data from Dayton Public Schools' Flock safety camera system in Ohio, citing immigration as the reason. The disclosure is drawing scrutiny over how federal immigration enforcement taps locally operated surveillance networks, including those run by school districts, and what limits exist on such data sharing.

A Wired report examines how much Flock Safety's automated license plate readers really cost US cities, going beyond sticker prices to look at contracts, subscription fees and hidden expenses tied to the surveillance technology. The piece adds to ongoing debate over how much municipal spending on camera networks amounts to, and whether the privacy and financial trade-offs are worth it for local governments.

Otero County commissioners in New Mexico have approved a change to the sheriff deputies' contract adding fitness pay, an incentive tied to officers meeting physical fitness standards. During the same meeting, commissioners also heard a warning concerning the county's use of Flock license plate recognition cameras. The dual agenda items touch on both deputy compensation and privacy concerns around surveillance technology.

Elgin Community College in Illinois attempted to cancel its contract with surveillance company Flock Safety, but the company refused to let it out of the deal. The case is drawing attention to how Flock's agreements with customers work and the difficulties public institutions face when trying to exit contracts for AI-powered camera and license plate surveillance systems.

The Inkster Police Department in Michigan has signed a new contract with Flock, the automated license plate reading technology company. The deal means the department will continue using Flock's surveillance cameras to track vehicle movements in the city. Details of the contract's cost and duration were not given in the initial report, and community reaction has not yet been widely documented.

Candidates for local office in Bryan, Texas faced questions on two of the city's most pressing issues at an election forum: Flock automated license plate reader cameras and rising housing costs. Participants laid out their positions on the surveillance technology and affordability, giving voters a clearer picture of where each stands ahead of the vote.

The city of Inkster, Michigan is expanding its use of Flock safety technology as part of a new public safety initiative. Flock systems, typically license plate recognition cameras used by police, are being deployed more widely across the city. Details on the scope and cost of the expansion have not yet been reported, and residents are waiting to learn how the technology will affect everyday policing.

Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib of Michigan has introduced legislation that would prohibit the use of federal funding for Flock Safety and other automated surveillance technologies. The bill targets tools such as automated license plate readers that have spread rapidly among US police departments. It sets up a clash over how much federal money should support mass data-gathering systems used in local law enforcement.

A Syracuse startup says it can deliver AI-powered security technology while avoiding the mass surveillance and tracking practices associated with Flock, the license plate and camera surveillance company that has drawn privacy backlash across the country. The claim positions the firm as a privacy-conscious alternative as communities debate the reach of automated monitoring systems.