08/21/2026
There has been a lot of discussion recently about Flock Safety cameras, and with that has come quite a bit of misinformation. As someone who has personally used this technology in law enforcement, I’d like to share some facts.
First, Flock cameras are NOT the same as red-light cameras or school zone speed cameras. They are not used to issue traffic tickets or generate revenue. They don’t scan your eyes nor do they capture bluetooth signals.
Flock simply captures a vehicle’s license plate and basic descriptors, such as the make, model, color, and direction of travel. That’s it. It does not identify who is driving the vehicle, and any information it provides must still be verified by law enforcement through NCIC and other official databases before any enforcement action is taken.
I’ve personally been involved in investigations where Flock helped locate an elderly person suffering from Alzheimer’s who became lost while driving, helped recover an abducted child, located stolen vehicles, and identified violent offenders who posed a danger to the public. When minutes matter, this technology can literally save lives.
Some have pointed to recent cases where law enforcement officers misused the system. Those incidents should absolutely be investigated, and those responsible should be held accountable.
But every profession has bad actors. Doctors have committed malpractice. Lawyers have violated ethics rules. Teachers have abused their positions. Police officers have broken the law. The answer isn’t to eliminate the profession or the tools they use—it’s to hold the individuals accountable. Flock’s built-in audit trail helps do exactly that. Every search is logged, allowing agencies to determine who accessed the system, when they did it, and why.
It’s also important to remember that Flock cameras are installed in plain view on public roadways. They are not hidden surveillance devices. They simply automate what an officer could already observe from a public place.
Every day, people voluntarily use technology that collects far more information than a license plate. Ring doorbells record visitors. Businesses use extensive security camera systems. Many retailers use advanced surveillance technology. Social media platforms collect and store enormous amounts of personal information that we willingly share every day.
Flock is not about watching law-abiding citizens. It is about finding missing children, locating vulnerable adults, recovering stolen vehicles, and helping remove violent criminals from our communities.
Healthy conversations about privacy are important, and accountability should always exist. But those conversations should be based on facts—not misconceptions.
If this technology helps bring one missing child home, reunites one family with a loved one suffering from dementia, or helps stop one violent criminal from hurting someone else, then it has served its purpose.”
