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Flock Safety ALPR cameras face nationwide backlash over privacy and misuse
Flock Safety’s network of automated license‑plate readers (ALPRs) now totals roughly 120,000 cameras across the United States. Privacy advocates and civil‑rights groups warn the system creates a nationwide drag‑net that records every passing vehicle, stores license‑plate, make, model and other identifiers, and can be accessed by any law‑enforcement agency with a contract.
Investigations have uncovered multiple abuses. At least 50 officers in 26 cases have been accused of using the cameras to stalk spouses, ex‑partners or other private individuals, leading to arrests and charges for stalking, harassment and unauthorized data use. One high‑profile case involved Braselton, Georgia police chief Michael Steffman, who was arrested for stalking his ex‑wife with Flock data and later died by suicide.
Local governments are responding. The Village of Hebron, Ohio, repaired vandalized Flock cameras, while nearby Knox County announced it will not install the technology. City councils in Sterling Heights, Michigan, and the town of Peterborough, England, debated or denied Flock deployments. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass called for the LAPD to drop Flock amid concerns that data could be shared with immigration authorities. A San Mateo County civil grand jury issued a report urging stricter oversight of ALPR use. Stanford University terminated its contract, and several U.S. municipalities have paused or cancelled Flock contracts.
Law‑enforcement officials argue the cameras help solve crimes, locate stolen vehicles and find missing persons, but critics say the privacy risks and potential for mass surveillance outweigh those benefits.
Entities
Automated License Plate Readers (ALPR) · Bob Duff · Connecticut · Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection · Flock Safety · Flock cameras · Hebron, Ohio · James Maroney · Karen Bass · Michael Steffman · San Mateo County Civil Grand Jury · Savannah Police Department
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] In Ohio, the Village of Hebron repaired vandalized Flock cameras while Knox County decided not to install them. www.sciotopost.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Connecticut Senate leaders Bob Duff and James Maroney called for a pause on new ALPR installations and plan 2027 legislation to strengthen privacy protections. ctnewsjunkie.com · www.senatedems.ct.gov
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Wellesley Police are testing a single Flock ALPR camera and do not plan to expand the system. theswellesleyreport.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] At least four police departments have faced allegations of misusing Flock's ALPR technology.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] San Mateo County Civil Grand Jury released a report calling for stricter oversight of ALPR use by law‑enforcement agencies. www.rwcpulse.com
- [DISPUTED] Around 120,000 Flock cameras are installed across the United States. 1053rnb.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Stanford University terminated its contract with Flock Safety and replaced the system with a non‑third‑party‑accessible solution. www.mv-voice.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Peterborough Town Hall does not have Flock cameras, according to town administrator Nicole MacStay. ledgertranscript.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Connecticut Senate leaders Bob Duff and James Maroney urged a pause on new Flock camera installations and plan 2027 legislation to strengthen privacy protections. ctnewsjunkie.com · www.senatedems.ct.gov
- [○ 1 SOURCE] More than 1,000 ALPR devices in Minnesota and Iowa are owned by Flock Safety. www.kaaltv.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass called for the LAPD to stop using Flock Safety devices, citing loss of public trust. www.latimes.com · dnyuz.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The San Mateo County Civil Grand Jury issued a report calling for stricter oversight of ALPR use by law‑enforcement agencies. www.rwcpulse.com