Flock license plate readers: Difference between revisions
added an industry-context section on alpr vendors moving to wireless device-identifier capture, covering leonardo's elsag signaltrace and noting it isn't a flock product |
add additional incidents →False positive incidents |
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==Consumer impact summary== | ==Consumer impact summary== | ||
====Freedom==== | ====Freedom==== | ||
Residents and taxpayers have no mechanism to opt out of [[Flock Safety]]'s surveillance network. The cameras operate 24/7 in public spaces, recording all passing vehicles regardless of consent. They are also placed on private premises like universities, hospitals, businesses, and neighborhood associations, which often share this data with law enforcement.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Brewster |first=Thomas |date=19 Jun 2024 |title=FedEx's Secretive Police Force Is Helping Cops Build An AI Car Surveillance Network |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/thomasbrewster/2024/06/19/fedex-police-help-cops-build-an-ai-car-surveillance-network/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240619112629/https://www.forbes.com/sites/thomasbrewster/2024/06/19/fedex-police-help-cops-build-an-ai-car-surveillance-network/ |archive-date=19 Jun 2024 |access-date=25 Aug 2025 |website=Forbes}}</ref> This data can later be integrated into predictive police platforms like {{Wplink|Palantir Technologies|Palantir}}.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Rettberg |first=Jill Walker |title=Machine Vision: How Algorithms are Changing the Way We See the World |date=11 Sep 2023 |publisher=John Wiley & Sons. |year=2023 |location=Google Books |pages=45-46 |language=English}}</ref> | Residents and taxpayers have no mechanism to opt out of [[Flock Safety]]'s surveillance network. The cameras operate 24/7 in public spaces, recording all passing vehicles regardless of consent. They are also placed on private premises like universities, hospitals, businesses, children's daycares, gymnasiums, homeowner's yards, and neighborhood associations, which often share this data with law enforcement.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Brewster |first=Thomas |date=19 Jun 2024 |title=FedEx's Secretive Police Force Is Helping Cops Build An AI Car Surveillance Network |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/thomasbrewster/2024/06/19/fedex-police-help-cops-build-an-ai-car-surveillance-network/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240619112629/https://www.forbes.com/sites/thomasbrewster/2024/06/19/fedex-police-help-cops-build-an-ai-car-surveillance-network/ |archive-date=19 Jun 2024 |access-date=25 Aug 2025 |website=Forbes}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Thalen |first=Mikael |date=2026-06-29 |title=After a Flock device appeared on her lawn, Virginia woman wondered ‘who’s listening’ |url=https://san.com/cc/after-a-flock-device-appeared-on-her-lawn-virginia-woman-wondered-whos-listening/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260630132716/https://san.com/cc/after-a-flock-device-appeared-on-her-lawn-virginia-woman-wondered-whos-listening/?utm_source=flipboard&utm_content=topic%2Ftechnology |archive-date=2026-06-29 |website=SAN}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Jason |first=Hunyar |date=2026-04-08 |title=Why Are Flock Employees Watching Our Children? |url=https://jasonhunyar.substack.com/p/why-are-flock-employees-watching-720?r=7c08v8}}</ref> This data can later be integrated into predictive police platforms like {{Wplink|Palantir Technologies|Palantir}}.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Rettberg |first=Jill Walker |title=Machine Vision: How Algorithms are Changing the Way We See the World |date=11 Sep 2023 |publisher=John Wiley & Sons. |year=2023 |location=Google Books |pages=45-46 |language=English}}</ref> | ||
Unlike traditional security cameras that may be avoided by choosing different routes, Flock's expanding network of over 100,000 cameras makes avoidance increasingly difficult.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Eyes On Flock |url=https://eyesonflock.com/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251008230140/https://eyesonflock.com/ |archive-date=8 Oct 2025 |access-date=9 Dec 2025 |work=Eyes On Flock}}</ref> The system uses AI to create ''Vehicle [[Device fingerprint|Fingerprints]]'' that identify vehicles by characteristics beyond license plates, including make, model, color, aftermarket parts, window stickers, and roof racks.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Stanley |first=Jay |date=23 Jul 2025 |title=Surveillance Company Flock Now Using AI to Report Us to Police if it Thinks Our Movement Patterns Are "Suspicious" |url=https://www.aclu.org/news/national-security/surveillance-company-flock-now-using-ai-to-report-us-to-police-if-it-thinks-our-movement-patterns-are-suspicious |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250814053755/https://www.aclu.org/news/national-security/surveillance-company-flock-now-using-ai-to-report-us-to-police-if-it-thinks-our-movement-patterns-are-suspicious |archive-date=14 Aug 2025 |access-date=23 Aug 2025 |website=American Civil Liberties Union}}</ref> | Unlike traditional security cameras that may be avoided by choosing different routes, Flock's expanding network of over 100,000 cameras makes avoidance increasingly difficult.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Eyes On Flock |url=https://eyesonflock.com/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251008230140/https://eyesonflock.com/ |archive-date=8 Oct 2025 |access-date=9 Dec 2025 |work=Eyes On Flock}}</ref> The system uses AI to create ''Vehicle [[Device fingerprint|Fingerprints]]'' that identify vehicles by characteristics beyond license plates, including make, model, color, aftermarket parts, window stickers, and roof racks.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Stanley |first=Jay |date=23 Jul 2025 |title=Surveillance Company Flock Now Using AI to Report Us to Police if it Thinks Our Movement Patterns Are "Suspicious" |url=https://www.aclu.org/news/national-security/surveillance-company-flock-now-using-ai-to-report-us-to-police-if-it-thinks-our-movement-patterns-are-suspicious |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250814053755/https://www.aclu.org/news/national-security/surveillance-company-flock-now-using-ai-to-report-us-to-police-if-it-thinks-our-movement-patterns-are-suspicious |archive-date=14 Aug 2025 |access-date=23 Aug 2025 |website=American Civil Liberties Union}}</ref> | ||
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====Families detained at gunpoint==== | ====Families detained at gunpoint==== | ||
In Española, New Mexico, 21-year-old Jaclynn Gonzales and her 12-year-old sister were held at gunpoint and handcuffed after Flock's system mistook a "2" for a "7" on their license plate, falsely flagging their vehicle as stolen.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-09-28 |title=License plate cover leads to traffic stop mishap |url=https://www.koat.com/article/espanola-police-license-plate-stolen-cover-traffic-stop/45361740|website=KOAT|access-date=2025-08-23 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260203063901/https://www.koat.com/article/espanola-police-license-plate-stolen-cover-traffic-stop/45361740 |archive-date=3 Feb 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025 |title=Flock Safety: Eroding Your Privacy & Keeping You Safe with Surveillance |url=https://redact.dev/blog/flock-safety-lpr-privacy-surveillance/ |access-date=2025-08-23 |work=Redact |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260223045516/https://redact.dev/blog/flock-safety-lpr-privacy-surveillance/ |archive-date=23 Feb 2026}}</ref> | In Española, New Mexico, 21-year-old Jaclynn Gonzales and her 12-year-old sister were held at gunpoint and handcuffed after Flock's system mistook a "2" for a "7" on their license plate, falsely flagging their vehicle as stolen.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-09-28 |title=License plate cover leads to traffic stop mishap |url=https://www.koat.com/article/espanola-police-license-plate-stolen-cover-traffic-stop/45361740|website=KOAT|access-date=2025-08-23 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260203063901/https://www.koat.com/article/espanola-police-license-plate-stolen-cover-traffic-stop/45361740 |archive-date=3 Feb 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025 |title=Flock Safety: Eroding Your Privacy & Keeping You Safe with Surveillance |url=https://redact.dev/blog/flock-safety-lpr-privacy-surveillance/ |access-date=2025-08-23 |work=Redact |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260223045516/https://redact.dev/blog/flock-safety-lpr-privacy-surveillance/ |archive-date=23 Feb 2026}}</ref> | ||
====Woman falsely accused of theft over Flock camera footage==== | |||
ALPR systems often misread license plates according to multiple investigations, leading to hardship & legal trouble for innocent civilians.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2024/11/human-toll-alpr-errors | In Denver, police informed Christianna Elser at her home that she had been caught on camera stealing packages from neighbors, running away, and then getting into her vehicle. They told her they saw her drive that same way 20 times in the past month, and that "you can't get a breath of fresh air in or out of that place without us knowing." The officer stated that he was one-hundred percent certain of her guilt and refused to show her the footage he was referring to or look at her own footage from her vehicle. She and her husband then compiled their own surveillance of Elser to prove her innocence, including Google timeline snapshots, phone location data, statements from individuals she interacted with on that day, what outfit she wore, dashboard footage from her electric vehicle, GPS data from the same vehicle, and surveillance video from businesses she had appointments with. She later viewed the victim's doorbell camera footage on the Next Door app and saw that it not only was someone else, but also contradicted statements made by the police officer. She called the police chief every day for a week straight before sending a letter with her self-surveillance evidence. Weeks after the police initially showed up at her door, the chief emailed her, "After reviewing the evidence you provided (nicely done btw), we have voided the summons we issued."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Prentzel |first=Olivia |date=2026-10-28 |title=After police used Flock cameras to accuse a Denver woman of theft, she had to prove her own innocence |url=https://coloradosun.com/2025/10/28/flock-camera-police-colorado-columbine-valley/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260628152336/https://coloradosun.com/2025/10/28/flock-camera-police-colorado-columbine-valley/ |archive-date=2026-06-28 |access-date=2026-07-07 |work=Colorado Sun}}</ref> | ||
ALPR systems often misread license plates according to multiple investigations, leading to hardship & legal trouble for innocent civilians.<ref>{{cite web |date=2024-11-15 |title=The Human Toll of ALPR Errors |url=https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2024/11/human-toll-alpr-errors |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251217071819/https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2024/11/human-toll-alpr-errors |archive-date=17 Dec 2025 |access-date=2025-10-05 |website=Electronic Frontier Foundation}}</ref> | |||
===Law enforcement stalking incidents=== | ===Law enforcement stalking incidents=== | ||
Investigations and court records show that some law enforcement officers have misused Flock Safety automated license plate reader (ALPR) systems for personal, non-investigative purposes, including stalking romantic partners or monitoring civilians. These incidents highlight weaknesses & lack of internal oversight, & the reliance on post-hoc audits rather than real-time safeguards. Oversight reviews & civil liberties organizations have noted that ALPR systems enable quick searches of historical vehicle location data across wide geographic areas. This reduces practical barriers to stalking & increases the risk of abuse by authorized users. While Flock & participating agencies rely on usage policies & access logs, many cases show misuse was detected only after complaints or later audits rather than through proactive safeguards.<ref>{{cite web |date=February 22, 2023 |title=Automated License Plate Readers widely used, subject to abuse |url=https://stpp.fordschool.umich.edu/news/2023/automated-license-plate-readers-widely-used-subject-abuse |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260205112852/https://stpp.fordschool.umich.edu/news/2023/automated-license-plate-readers-widely-used-subject-abuse |archive-date=5 Feb 2026 |work=University of Michigan}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Davidson |first=Nikki |date=April 16, 2024 |title=ALPR Audit Takeaways: What We Learned About Policy Gaps |url=https://www.govtech.com/biz/data/alpr-audit-takeaways-what-we-learned-about-policy-gaps |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251226002217/https://www.govtech.com/biz/data/alpr-audit-takeaways-what-we-learned-about-policy-gaps |archive-date=26 Dec 2025 |work=Government Technology}}</ref> | |||
In Menasha, Wisconsin, police officer Cristian Morales was charged in January 2026 with misconduct in office after allegedly using the department’s Flock ALPR system to track his ex-girlfriend. Prosecutors alleged Morales conducted five unauthorized searches of his ex-partner’s vehicle in October 2025. According to the criminal complaint, Morales admitted he knew the searches were improper and cited “desperation and bad judgment.” He was placed on administrative leave, prohibited from accessing Flock systems, and released on a $10,000 cash bond pending further proceedings. Court records also show a related civil filing seeking a temporary restraining order in a domestic abuse case.<ref>{{cite news |last=Kerhin |first=Brian |date=2026-01-09 |title=Menasha police officer accused of using license plate recognition system to track his ex |url=https://fox11online.com/news/crime/menasha-police-officer-accused-of-using-license-plate-recognition-system-to-track-his-ex |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/V8GGF |archive-date=13 January 2026 |work=FOX 11 News}}</ref> | In Menasha, Wisconsin, police officer Cristian Morales was charged in January 2026 with misconduct in office after allegedly using the department’s Flock ALPR system to track his ex-girlfriend. Prosecutors alleged Morales conducted five unauthorized searches of his ex-partner’s vehicle in October 2025. According to the criminal complaint, Morales admitted he knew the searches were improper and cited “desperation and bad judgment.” He was placed on administrative leave, prohibited from accessing Flock systems, and released on a $10,000 cash bond pending further proceedings. Court records also show a related civil filing seeking a temporary restraining order in a domestic abuse case.<ref>{{cite news |last=Kerhin |first=Brian |date=2026-01-09 |title=Menasha police officer accused of using license plate recognition system to track his ex |url=https://fox11online.com/news/crime/menasha-police-officer-accused-of-using-license-plate-recognition-system-to-track-his-ex |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/V8GGF |archive-date=13 January 2026 |work=FOX 11 News}}</ref> | ||
The Menasha case matches what is becoming a national pattern. In Kansas, Kechi Police Lieutenant Victor Heiar pleaded guilty in 2022 to computer crimes & stalking after using Flock cameras to monitor his estranged wife’s movements over several months.<ref>{{cite news |last=Baker |first=Joe |date=2022-10-31 |title=Kechi police lieutenant arrested for using police technology to stalk wife |url=https://www.kwch.com/2022/10/31/kechi-police-lieutenant-arrested-using-police-technology-stalk-wife/ |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260216093439/https://www.kwch.com/2022/10/31/kechi-police-lieutenant-arrested-using-police-technology-stalk-wife/ |archive-date=16 Feb 2026 |work=KWCH}}</ref> In another Kansas incident, Sedgwick Police Chief Lee Nygaard admitted in 2025 to accessing Flock ALPR data more than 160 times to track his ex-girlfriend and her new partner, resulting in his resignation and loss of police certification.<ref>{{cite news |last=Stavola |first=Michael |date=August 17, 2024 |title=Kansas police chief used Flock license plate cameras to track ex-girlfriend |url=https://www.yahoo.com/news/kansas-police-chief-used-flock-093300946.html |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260124143444/https://www.yahoo.com/news/kansas-police-chief-used-flock-093300946.html |archive-date=24 Jan 2026 |work=Yahoo News}}</ref> | The Menasha case matches what is becoming a national pattern. In Kenosha, Wisconsin, County Sheriff's Deputy Frank McGrath resigned after allegedly using Flock to track another deputy that he was romantically involved with while off duty.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Mathewson |first=Kevin |date=2026-03-06 |title=KCE Editor Files John Doe Petition Seeking Criminal Investigation Into Former Kenosha Deputy Over Alleged Database Misuse |url=https://kenoshacountyeye.com/2026/03/06/kce-editor-files-john-doe-petition-seeking-criminal-investigation-into-former-kenosha-deputy-over-alleged-database-misuse/ |access-date=2026-07-07 |work=Kenosha County Eye}}</ref> In Milwaukee, Wisconsin, an officer used Flock to track someone he dated and her ex 180 times in 2 months.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ingraham |first=Christopher |date=2026-06-30 |title=Police Have Reportedly Used License Plate Readers to Stalk Romantic Interests at Least 21 Times in Recent Years |url=https://ij.org/police-have-reportedly-used-license-plate-readers-to-stalk-romantic-interests-at-least-14-times-in-recent-years/ |work=Institute for Injustice}}</ref> In Kansas, Kechi Police Lieutenant Victor Heiar pleaded guilty in 2022 to computer crimes & stalking after using Flock cameras to monitor his estranged wife’s movements over several months.<ref>{{cite news |last=Baker |first=Joe |date=2022-10-31 |title=Kechi police lieutenant arrested for using police technology to stalk wife |url=https://www.kwch.com/2022/10/31/kechi-police-lieutenant-arrested-using-police-technology-stalk-wife/ |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260216093439/https://www.kwch.com/2022/10/31/kechi-police-lieutenant-arrested-using-police-technology-stalk-wife/ |archive-date=16 Feb 2026 |work=KWCH}}</ref> In another Kansas incident, Sedgwick Police Chief Lee Nygaard admitted in 2025 to accessing Flock ALPR data more than 160 times to track his ex-girlfriend and her new partner, resulting in his resignation and loss of police certification.<ref>{{cite news |last=Stavola |first=Michael |date=August 17, 2024 |title=Kansas police chief used Flock license plate cameras to track ex-girlfriend |url=https://www.yahoo.com/news/kansas-police-chief-used-flock-093300946.html |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260124143444/https://www.yahoo.com/news/kansas-police-chief-used-flock-093300946.html |archive-date=24 Jan 2026 |work=Yahoo News}}</ref> | ||
More cases involving other surveillance systems show a similar misuse. Las Vegas Metropolitan Police officer Christopher Young was arrested in 2023 for stalking his ex-fiancée using police databases, and in California, Riverside County deputy Eric Piscatella pleaded guilty in 2024 to multiple counts of misusing sheriff’s department databases to stalk a woman he met while off duty.<ref>{{cite news |last=McCandless |first=C.C. |date=2024-02-16 |title=Las Vegas police officer arrested for reportedly stalking ex-fiancée |url=https://www.fox5vegas.com/2024/02/16/las-vegas-police-officer-arrested-reportedly-stalking-ex-fiancee/ |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20240907035401/https://www.fox5vegas.com/2024/02/16/las-vegas-police-officer-arrested-reportedly-stalking-ex-fiancee/ |archive-date=7 Sep 2024 |work=FOX5 Vegas}}</ref> | More cases involving other surveillance systems show a similar misuse. Las Vegas Metropolitan Police officer Christopher Young was arrested in 2023 for stalking his ex-fiancée using police databases, and in California, Riverside County deputy Eric Piscatella pleaded guilty in 2024 to multiple counts of misusing sheriff’s department databases to stalk a woman he met while off duty.<ref>{{cite news |last=McCandless |first=C.C. |date=2024-02-16 |title=Las Vegas police officer arrested for reportedly stalking ex-fiancée |url=https://www.fox5vegas.com/2024/02/16/las-vegas-police-officer-arrested-reportedly-stalking-ex-fiancee/ |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20240907035401/https://www.fox5vegas.com/2024/02/16/las-vegas-police-officer-arrested-reportedly-stalking-ex-fiancee/ |archive-date=7 Sep 2024 |work=FOX5 Vegas}}</ref> | ||
In October 2022, Kechi, Kansas Police Lieutenant Victor Heiar was arrested and later pleaded guilty to computer crimes and stalking after using Flock cameras to track his estranged wife's movements over four months.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.kwch.com/2022/10/31/kechi-police-lieutenant-arrested-using-police-technology-stalk-wife/|title=Kechi police lieutenant arrested for using police technology to stalk wife|work=KWCH|date=2022-10-31|access-date=2025-08-23 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260216093439/https://www.kwch.com/2022/10/31/kechi-police-lieutenant-arrested-using-police-technology-stalk-wife/ |archive-date=16 Feb 2026}}</ref> In a separate Kansas incident, Sedgwick Police Chief Lee Nygaard accessed Flock data 164 times to track his ex-girlfriend before resigning after admitting to the misuse.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.yahoo.com/news/kansas-police-chief-used-flock-093300946.html|title=Kansas police chief used Flock license plate cameras 164 times to track ex-girlfriend|work=Yahoo News|date=2025|access-date=2025-08-23 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260124143444/https://www.yahoo.com/news/kansas-police-chief-used-flock-093300946.html |archive-date=24 Jan 2026}}</ref> | |||
Multiple other documented cases include Las Vegas Metro Officer Christopher Young arrested in December 2023 for stalking his ex-fiancée using police databases, and Riverside County Deputy Eric Piscatella pleading guilty in February 2024 to seven counts of misusing sheriff's department databases to stalk a woman he met at Coachella.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fox5vegas.com/2024/02/16/las-vegas-police-officer-arrested-reportedly-stalking-ex-fiancee/?outputType=amp|title=Las Vegas police officer arrested for reportedly stalking ex-fiancée|website=FOX5 Vegas|date=2024-02-16|access-date=2025-10-05 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260213030246/https://www.fox5vegas.com/2024/02/16/las-vegas-police-officer-arrested-reportedly-stalking-ex-fiancee/?outputType=amp |archive-date=13 Feb 2026}}</ref> | |||
===Abortion and reproductive healthcare tracking=== | |||
In May 2025, Johnson County, Texas sheriff's deputies used Flock's network to track a woman suspected of self-managing an abortion. They conducted searches across 83,000+ Flock cameras nationwide with the explicit reason: "had an abortion, search for female." The search accessed cameras across multiple states including those where abortion is legal. The incident led Illinois officials to investigate and subsequently block 47+ out-of-state agencies from accessing Illinois ALPR data.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dallasnews.com/news/texas/2025/06/13/after-finding-fetal-remains-north-texas-cops-used-camera-network-to-search-for-woman/|title=After finding fetal remains, North Texas cops used camera network to search for woman|work=The Dallas Morning News|date=2025-06-13|access-date=2025-08-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260223045557/https://www.dallasnews.com/news/texas/2025/06/13/after-finding-fetal-remains-north-texas-cops-used-camera-network-to-search-for-woman/ |archive-date=23 Feb 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2025/05/she-got-abortion-so-texas-cop-used-83000-cameras-track-her-down|title=She Got an Abortion. So A Texas Cop Used 83,000 Cameras to Track Her Down|website=Electronic Frontier Foundation|date=2025-05-15|access-date=2025-10-05 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260125222243/https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2025/05/she-got-abortion-so-texas-cop-used-83000-cameras-track-her-down |archive-date=25 Jan 2026}}</ref> | |||
===Federal agency access=== | ===Federal agency access=== | ||
Immigration and Customs Enforcement maintains a $6.1 million contract giving 9,000+ ICE officers access to the Vigilant Solutions ALPR database containing over 5 billion location data points.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aclu.org/news/immigrants-rights/documents-reveal-ice-using-driver-location-data|title=Documents Reveal ICE Using Driver Location Data From Local Police for Deportations|website=ACLU|date=2024|access-date=2025-10-05 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260220150454/https://www.aclu.org/news/immigrants-rights/documents-reveal-ice-using-driver-location-data |archive-date=20 Feb 2026}}</ref> The Drug Enforcement Administration operates a National License Plate Reader Program with over 10,000 license plate readers shared throughout the United States. 404 Media revealed over 4,000 searches by local and state police for federal immigration enforcement purposes, despite Flock having no formal ICE contract.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Koebler |first=Jason |last2=Cox |first2=Joseph |date=2025 |title=ICE Taps into Nationwide AI-Enabled Camera Network, Data Shows |url=https://www.404media.co/ice-taps-into-nationwide-ai-enabled-camera-network-data-shows/ |url-access=registration |archive-url= |archive-date= |access-date=2025-08-23 |work=404 Media}}</ref> A DEA agent was found using an Illinois police officer's credentials to conduct unauthorized immigration searches.<ref name="dea" /> | Immigration and Customs Enforcement maintains a $6.1 million contract giving 9,000+ ICE officers access to the Vigilant Solutions ALPR database containing over 5 billion location data points.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aclu.org/news/immigrants-rights/documents-reveal-ice-using-driver-location-data|title=Documents Reveal ICE Using Driver Location Data From Local Police for Deportations|website=ACLU|date=2024|access-date=2025-10-05 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260220150454/https://www.aclu.org/news/immigrants-rights/documents-reveal-ice-using-driver-location-data |archive-date=20 Feb 2026}}</ref> The Drug Enforcement Administration operates a National License Plate Reader Program with over 10,000 license plate readers shared throughout the United States. 404 Media revealed over 4,000 searches by local and state police for federal immigration enforcement purposes, despite Flock having no formal ICE contract.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Koebler |first=Jason |last2=Cox |first2=Joseph |date=2025 |title=ICE Taps into Nationwide AI-Enabled Camera Network, Data Shows |url=https://www.404media.co/ice-taps-into-nationwide-ai-enabled-camera-network-data-shows/ |url-access=registration |archive-url= |archive-date= |access-date=2025-08-23 |work=404 Media}}</ref> A DEA agent was found using an Illinois police officer's credentials to conduct unauthorized immigration searches.<ref name="dea" /> | ||
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Olympia, Washington terminated its pilot of Flock cameras in December 2025 after the chief of police recommended a suspension of the program.<ref>{{Cite web |author= |title=Update: City of Olympia Suspends Flock Safety Camera Pilot Program |url=https://www.olympiawa.gov/services/police_department/flock.php |website=City of Olympia |date=3 Dec 2025 |access-date=6 May 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251207024227/https://www.olympiawa.gov/services/police_department/flock.php |archive-date=7 Dec 2025}}</ref> | Olympia, Washington terminated its pilot of Flock cameras in December 2025 after the chief of police recommended a suspension of the program.<ref>{{Cite web |author= |title=Update: City of Olympia Suspends Flock Safety Camera Pilot Program |url=https://www.olympiawa.gov/services/police_department/flock.php |website=City of Olympia |date=3 Dec 2025 |access-date=6 May 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251207024227/https://www.olympiawa.gov/services/police_department/flock.php |archive-date=7 Dec 2025}}</ref> | ||
Appleton, Wisconsin sets dates of June 30 for Flock cameras to be disabled, and July 31 for the cameras to be physically removed due to concerns about security and integrity.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Behnke |first=Duke |date=2026-06-25 |title=Appleton asks Flock Safety to disable surveillance cameras by June 30 |url=https://www.postcrescent.com/story/news/local/2026/06/25/appleton-asks-flock-safety-to-disable-surveillance-cameras-by-june-30/90665736007/ |archive-url=https://www.postcrescent.com/story/news/local/2026/06/25/appleton-asks-flock-safety-to-disable-surveillance-cameras-by-june-30/90665736007/ |access-date=2026-07-07 |work=Post Crescent}}</ref> | |||
University of Wisconsin-Madison Police Department decides not to renew its Flock contract, stating that they are searching for an alternative ALPR option. A Flock representative says removing their tool has "real consequences."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Russomanno |first=Isabella |date=2026-07-04 |title=UW Madison police drops Flock camera contract |url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/technology/general/uw-madison-police-drops-flock-camera-contract/ar-AA279X9h?ocid=BingNewsSerp |access-date=2026-07-07 |work=Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel}}</ref> | |||
The Cleveland City Council rejects contract extension with Flock due to security concerns and not enough evidence of their benefit. The contract expires, the cameras remain in place, and police admit to continuing to use them.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lewis |first=Frank |date=2026-06-17 |title=Flock camera contract rejected by Cleveland City Council committee, but debate will continue |url=https://signalcleveland.org/flock-camera-contract-extension-rejected-by-cleveland-city-council-committee-but-debate-will-continue/ |access-date=2026-07-07 |work=Signal Cleveland}}</ref> | |||
===Arizona deployments=== | ===Arizona deployments=== | ||