08/10/2026
Flock Safety Cameras in Maize
Over the past several months, there has been growing public interest and concern regarding the use of automatic license plate reader (LPR) cameras by law enforcement agencies, including the Flock Safety cameras used by the Maize Police Department.
The City of Maize currently has ten (10) Flock Safety LPR cameras strategically located throughout the community. The Maize Police Department also has access to a broader network of Flock Safety cameras operated by other law enforcement agencies throughout Kansas and across the nation. Likewise, other law enforcement agencies may have access to information captured by the Maize cameras when shared.
The Use of Technology in Law Enforcement
Advances in technology continually change the way we live and work. Law enforcement, like other professions, utilizes technological advances to better serve and protect the public. In fact, it could be argued that failing to responsibly utilize available technology that can improve public safety would be a disservice to the communities we serve.
At the same time, any legitimate law enforcement practice involving technology must balance its usefulness with the public's right to privacy. The Maize Police Department recognizes that responsibility and is committed to using LPR technology appropriately, responsibly, and only for legitimate law enforcement purposes.
What Is LPR Technology?
License plate reader technology itself is not new. However, advances in cameras, software, data storage, and connectivity have made LPR systems more sophisticated, compact, and affordable, resulting in their expanded use by law enforcement agencies.
LPR technology can be a valuable investigative tool. In general, an LPR camera detects a vehicle and captures an image. Depending on factors such as lighting, weather, traffic, and the condition of the vehicle, the captured image may include the vehicle's license plate as well as characteristics such as its color, make, and model. It does NOT capture images of a vehicle’s occupants.
The Flock Safety system can automatically compare captured license plates against designated law enforcement databases, such as NCIC, when configured and authorized to do so. Law enforcement agencies may also place vehicles associated with criminal activity into their LPR systems for investigative purposes.
LPR data does not automatically query Kansas Department of Revenue records, nor does the Flock Safety system itself store vehicle ownership information obtained from Department of Revenue records. When an officer needs vehicle ownership information as part of an investigation, that information must be obtained through the appropriate law enforcement systems and procedures.
How LPR Cameras Help Solve Crimes
The Flock Safety cameras located throughout Maize have proven to be an extremely valuable investigative resource for the Maize Police Department.
Over the past several years, information obtained from these cameras has helped officers identify vehicles and suspects involved in crimes committed in Maize and has allowed investigators to develop leads much more quickly. In some cases, the suspect may not have been identified as quickly—or potentially at all—without the assistance of this technology.
Protecting Your Privacy
The privacy of our residents and visitors is of the utmost importance to the Maize Police Department.
Flock Safety cameras are used for legitimate law enforcement and investigative purposes only. They are not permitted to be used for personal purposes or for the purpose of monitoring individuals without a legitimate law enforcement reason.
Information captured by the Flock Safety system is generally retained for 30 days. Information associated with an active criminal investigation may be retained beyond that period when it becomes part of an investigative case file or other law enforcement record.
Information that is not retained as part of an investigation is deleted after the applicable retention period and cannot subsequently be searched through the Flock Safety system.
Accountability and Auditing
The Maize Police Department takes the responsible use of LPR technology seriously.
Queries conducted by officers through the Flock Safety system are logged and archived. Officers are required to provide a reason for searching for a particular vehicle, license plate, or vehicle characteristic.
These safeguards are intended to ensure that access to the system is for legitimate law enforcement purposes and that its use can be reviewed and audited.
Unauthorized or inappropriate use of Flock Safety technology is not tolerated.
If an investigation determines that an officer has abused the system or otherwise misused law enforcement technology, the officer may be subject to corrective or disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment and, when appropriate, criminal prosecution.
Our Commitment to the Community
The Maize Police Department recognizes that with the benefits of new technology comes a responsibility to use that technology carefully and appropriately.
Our goal is to utilize the technology available to us to enhance public safety while respecting the privacy and constitutional rights of the people we serve.
The Flock Safety cameras are not intended to monitor the daily activities of law-abiding residents. They are an investigative tool intended to help law enforcement identify vehicles, develop investigative leads, and solve crimes.
We want our community to know that we utilize this technology with great care, accountability, and responsibility, and only for its intended law enforcement purpose.
To provide our residents with greater transparency regarding the Flock Safety cameras located within the City of Maize, the Maize Police Department is providing this Flock Safety Transparency Portal. The portal is intended to provide the public with information about the use of the City's LPR cameras.
Additional inquiries regarding the use of Flock Safety cameras by the Maize Police Department may be directed to Maize Deputy Police Chief Doug Nolte.
