Flock Safety license‑plate reader trial in Pennsylvania meets privacy backlash as US towns end contracts

The Washington City Council in Pennsylvania approved a one‑year pilot of Flock Safety’s solar‑powered license‑plate reader (LPR) cameras, offering the system at no cost to test its usefulness for law‑enforcement. Mayor JoJo Burgess said the trial will be evaluated on safety benefits, while residents have voiced privacy concerns, recalling similar opposition in nearby municipalities.

Across the United States, the company is facing a growing backlash. As of June 2026, 53 municipalities in 20 states have terminated or rejected Flock contracts, citing fears of data misuse, lack of oversight and potential sharing with federal immigration authorities. Lawmakers have urged the FTC to investigate the firm’s cybersecurity practices, and Amazon’s Ring ended its partnership after a Super Bowl ad highlighted the surveillance network. Protests have included vandalism of cameras and public petitions demanding program cancellations.