Flock license plate readers: Difference between revisions
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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. | 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. | ||
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. | 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 |title=Kechi police lieutenant arrested for using police technology to stalk wife | 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> | ||
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 |title=Las Vegas police officer arrested for reportedly stalking ex-fiancée | 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> | ||
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 |title=Automated License Plate Readers widely used, subject to abuse | 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> | ||
===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| | 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" /> | ||
===Illegal Camera Installations=== | ===Illegal Camera Installations=== | ||
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'''0.2% effectiveness rate, low arrests:''' Austin, Texas terminated its contract in July 2025 after an audit revealed "systematic compliance failures" and only 165 arrests from 113 million license plate scans (0.146% effectiveness rate).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://cbsaustin.com/news/local/flock-ceo-responds-to-austin-backlash-as-city-contract-nears-expiration|title=Flock CEO responds to Austin backlash as city contract nears expiration|work=CBS Austin|date=2025-06-21|access-date=2025-08-23 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260216120645/https://cbsaustin.com/news/local/flock-ceo-responds-to-austin-backlash-as-city-contract-nears-expiration |archive-date=16 Feb 2026}}</ref> | '''0.2% effectiveness rate, low arrests:''' Austin, Texas terminated its contract in July 2025 after an audit revealed "systematic compliance failures" and only 165 arrests from 113 million license plate scans (0.146% effectiveness rate).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://cbsaustin.com/news/local/flock-ceo-responds-to-austin-backlash-as-city-contract-nears-expiration|title=Flock CEO responds to Austin backlash as city contract nears expiration|work=CBS Austin|date=2025-06-21|access-date=2025-08-23 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260216120645/https://cbsaustin.com/news/local/flock-ceo-responds-to-austin-backlash-as-city-contract-nears-expiration |archive-date=16 Feb 2026}}</ref> | ||
Denver City Council unanimously rejected a $666,000 contract extension in May 2025 following revelations of 1,400+ ICE-related searches in Colorado data.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://denverite.com/2025/05/05/denver-rejects-flock-camera-license-plate-readers/ | Denver City Council unanimously rejected a $666,000 contract extension in May 2025 following revelations of 1,400+ ICE-related searches in Colorado data.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Zialcita |first=Paolo |last2=Harris |first2=Kyle |date=2025-05-05 |title=Denver rejects $666,000 extension for license-plate surveillance cameras after backlash |url=https://denverite.com/2025/05/05/denver-rejects-flock-camera-license-plate-readers/ |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260216120658/https://denverite.com/2025/05/05/denver-rejects-flock-camera-license-plate-readers/ |archive-date=16 Feb 2026 |access-date=2025-08-23 |work=Denverite}}</ref> | ||
San Marcos, Texas voted 5-2 to deny camera expansion after discovering no required audits had been conducted since 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Velez |first=Abigail |date=2025-06-04 |title=San Marcos City Council votes to deny flock camera expansion after hours of heated debate |url=https://cbsaustin.com/news/local/san-marcos-city-council-votes-to-deny-flock-camera-expansion-after-hours-of-heated-debate |access-date=2025-08-23 |work=CBS Austin |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251122133613/https://cbsaustin.com/news/local/san-marcos-city-council-votes-to-deny-flock-camera-expansion-after-hours-of-heated-debate |archive-date=22 Nov 2025}}</ref> | San Marcos, Texas voted 5-2 to deny camera expansion after discovering no required audits had been conducted since 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Velez |first=Abigail |date=2025-06-04 |title=San Marcos City Council votes to deny flock camera expansion after hours of heated debate |url=https://cbsaustin.com/news/local/san-marcos-city-council-votes-to-deny-flock-camera-expansion-after-hours-of-heated-debate |access-date=2025-08-23 |work=CBS Austin |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251122133613/https://cbsaustin.com/news/local/san-marcos-city-council-votes-to-deny-flock-camera-expansion-after-hours-of-heated-debate |archive-date=22 Nov 2025}}</ref> | ||
Oak Park, Illinois terminated their contract entirely following the Illinois investigation into illegal data sharing.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.oakpark.com/2025/08/07/oak-park-terminates-flock-license-plate-reader-contract/ | Oak Park, Illinois terminated their contract entirely following the Illinois investigation into illegal data sharing.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Heffernan |first=Brendan |date=2025-08-07 |title=Oak Park terminates Flock license plate reader contract |url=https://www.oakpark.com/2025/08/07/oak-park-terminates-flock-license-plate-reader-contract/ |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260218115622/https://www.oakpark.com/2025/08/07/oak-park-terminates-flock-license-plate-reader-contract/ |archive-date=18 Feb 2026 |access-date=2025-08-23 |work=Wednesday Journal}}</ref> | ||
===Arizona deployments=== | ===Arizona deployments=== | ||
Sedona, Arizona became the first Arizona city to completely terminate its Flock Safety contract in September 2025 after citizen backlash. The city had installed 11 cameras in June 2025 without prior public notice at a cost of $51,146 for the first year. The council voted 5-1 to pause the program, then unanimously 7-0 on September 9 to permanently terminate after Flock CEO Garrett Langley admitted the company had been sharing data with federal agencies. Vice Mayor Holli Ploog called Flock "not an honorable company" for the conflicting data-sharing claims.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://westvalleyfamilies.substack.com/p/sedona-pulls-the-plug-on-flock-safety|title=Sedona Pulls the Plug on Flock Safety|website=West Valley Families|date=2025-09-10|access-date=2025-10-05 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251209130335/https://westvalleyfamilies.substack.com/p/sedona-pulls-the-plug-on-flock-safety |archive-date=9 Dec 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.knau.org/knau-and-arizona-news/2025-09-11/sedona-council-permanently-ends-license-plate-camera-program | Sedona, Arizona became the first Arizona city to completely terminate its Flock Safety contract in September 2025 after citizen backlash. The city had installed 11 cameras in June 2025 without prior public notice at a cost of $51,146 for the first year. The council voted 5-1 to pause the program, then unanimously 7-0 on September 9 to permanently terminate after Flock CEO Garrett Langley admitted the company had been sharing data with federal agencies. Vice Mayor Holli Ploog called Flock "not an honorable company" for the conflicting data-sharing claims.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://westvalleyfamilies.substack.com/p/sedona-pulls-the-plug-on-flock-safety|title=Sedona Pulls the Plug on Flock Safety|website=West Valley Families|date=2025-09-10|access-date=2025-10-05 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251209130335/https://westvalleyfamilies.substack.com/p/sedona-pulls-the-plug-on-flock-safety |archive-date=9 Dec 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Skabelund |first=Adrian |date=2025-09-11 |title=Sedona council permanently ends license plate camera program |url=https://www.knau.org/knau-and-arizona-news/2025-09-11/sedona-council-permanently-ends-license-plate-camera-program |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260212215752/https://www.knau.org/knau-and-arizona-news/2025-09-11/sedona-council-permanently-ends-license-plate-camera-program |archive-date=12 Feb 2026 |access-date=2025-10-05 |website=KNAU}}</ref> | ||
Flagstaff deployed 32 Flock cameras in summer 2024 at a cost of $143,100 annually. By September 2025, a petition signed by 25+ residents demanded cancellation.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.kjzz.org/fronteras-desk/2025-09-01/after-sedona-paused-flock-safety-camera-system-flagstaff-is-considering-the-same-issue | Flagstaff deployed 32 Flock cameras in summer 2024 at a cost of $143,100 annually. By September 2025, a petition signed by 25+ residents demanded cancellation.<ref>{{cite web |last=Marizco |first=Michel |date=2025-09-01 |title=After Sedona paused Flock Safety camera system, Flagstaff is considering the same issue |url=https://www.kjzz.org/fronteras-desk/2025-09-01/after-sedona-paused-flock-safety-camera-system-flagstaff-is-considering-the-same-issue |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260223045803/https://www.kjzz.org/fronteras-desk/2025-09-01/after-sedona-paused-flock-safety-camera-system-flagstaff-is-considering-the-same-issue |archive-date=23 Feb 2026 |access-date=2025-10-05 |website=KJZZ}}</ref> | ||
University of Arizona contracted with Flock in February 2025 for 54 ALPR cameras at $160,000 annually. Students and faculty launched a "Deflock Tucson" campaign citing concerns about tracking international students and potential data sharing with federal immigration authorities.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://azluminaria.org/2025/09/15/ua-students-and-faculty-question-use-of-flock-safety-cameras-on-campus/ | University of Arizona contracted with Flock in February 2025 for 54 ALPR cameras at $160,000 annually. Students and faculty launched a "Deflock Tucson" campaign citing concerns about tracking international students and potential data sharing with federal immigration authorities.<ref>{{cite web |last=Kunichoff |first=Yana |date=2025-09-15 |title=UA students and faculty question use of Flock Safety cameras on campus |url=https://azluminaria.org/2025/09/15/ua-students-and-faculty-question-use-of-flock-safety-cameras-on-campus/ |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260220002242/https://azluminaria.org/2025/09/15/ua-students-and-faculty-question-use-of-flock-safety-cameras-on-campus/ |archive-date=20 Feb 2026 |access-date=2025-10-05 |website=AZ Luminaria}}</ref> | ||
Casa Grande approved a $10 million "Safe City Initiative" in September 2025 including 100 license plate readers. Chief Mark McCrory reported the current 22 license plate readers led to 212 stolen vehicles identified and 168 arrests.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.inmaricopa.com/we-mapped-all-flock-cameras/ | Casa Grande approved a $10 million "Safe City Initiative" in September 2025 including 100 license plate readers. Chief Mark McCrory reported the current 22 license plate readers led to 212 stolen vehicles identified and 168 arrests.<ref>{{cite web |last=Iverson |first=David |date=2025 |title=We mapped the city's Flock cameras |url=https://www.inmaricopa.com/we-mapped-all-flock-cameras/ |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260220002923/https://inmaricopa.com/we-mapped-all-flock-cameras/ |archive-date=20 Feb 2026 |access-date=2025-10-05 |website=InMaricopa}}</ref> | ||
Despite documented deployments across Arizona including Phoenix, Mesa, Chandler, Scottsdale, Tempe, Surprise, Youngtown, Litchfield Park, and Yuma, the state has no ALPR-specific regulation.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://azmirror.com/2019/07/08/how-do-automated-license-plate-readers-work/ | Despite documented deployments across Arizona including Phoenix, Mesa, Chandler, Scottsdale, Tempe, Surprise, Youngtown, Litchfield Park, and Yuma, the state has no ALPR-specific regulation.<ref>{{cite web |last=Grauer |first=Yael |date=2019-07-08 |title=How do automated license plate readers work? |url=https://azmirror.com/2019/07/08/how-do-automated-license-plate-readers-work/ |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260114035603/https://azmirror.com/2019/07/08/how-do-automated-license-plate-readers-work/ |archive-date=14 Jan 2026 |access-date=2025-10-05 |website=Arizona Mirror}}</ref> | ||
==Security vulnerabilities== | ==Security vulnerabilities== | ||
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California State Auditor's February 2020 investigation found the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), with a 320 million image database, had no ALPR-specific policy at all. The audit found 96% of agencies claim to have policies, but most are incomplete. Data retention periods varied wildly with no justification. LAPD maintained a minimum five-year retention period, yet couldn't demonstrate that images stored for years had investigative value. The audit found that 99.9% of the 320 million images Los Angeles stores are for vehicles that were not on a "hot list" when the image was made.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://information.auditor.ca.gov/reports/2019-118/summary.html |title=Automated License Plate Readers |website=California State Auditor |date=13 Feb 2020 |access-date=5 Oct 2025 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251113154443/https://information.auditor.ca.gov/reports/2019-118/summary.html |archive-date=13 Nov 2025}}</ref> | California State Auditor's February 2020 investigation found the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), with a 320 million image database, had no ALPR-specific policy at all. The audit found 96% of agencies claim to have policies, but most are incomplete. Data retention periods varied wildly with no justification. LAPD maintained a minimum five-year retention period, yet couldn't demonstrate that images stored for years had investigative value. The audit found that 99.9% of the 320 million images Los Angeles stores are for vehicles that were not on a "hot list" when the image was made.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://information.auditor.ca.gov/reports/2019-118/summary.html |title=Automated License Plate Readers |website=California State Auditor |date=13 Feb 2020 |access-date=5 Oct 2025 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251113154443/https://information.auditor.ca.gov/reports/2019-118/summary.html |archive-date=13 Nov 2025}}</ref> | ||
New Jersey provides a contrasting model with mandatory annual audits of all 523 law enforcement agencies. The 2024 audit reported only two significant violations, both involving users who hadn't completed required training.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://nj.gov/njsp/ALPR/pdf/2024_Audit_Automated_License_Plate_Recognition_(ALPR)_Data_Collected_Utilized_NJ_Law_Enforcement_Agencies.pdf | | New Jersey provides a contrasting model with mandatory annual audits of all 523 law enforcement agencies. The 2024 audit reported only two significant violations, both involving users who hadn't completed required training.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024 |title=2024 Audit of Automated License Plate Recognition (ALPR) Data |url=https://nj.gov/njsp/ALPR/pdf/2024_Audit_Automated_License_Plate_Recognition_(ALPR)_Data_Collected_Utilized_NJ_Law_Enforcement_Agencies.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251207224414/https://nj.gov/njsp/ALPR/pdf/2024_Audit_Automated_License_Plate_Recognition_(ALPR)_Data_Collected_Utilized_NJ_Law_Enforcement_Agencies.pdf |archive-date=7 Dec 2025 |access-date=5 Oct 2025 |website=New Jersey State Police |format=PDF}}</ref> | ||
A Government Technology analysis found that agencies often fail to audit ALPR systems regularly, leaving them "open to abuse by neglecting to institute sufficient oversight."<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.govtech.com/biz/data/alpr-audit-takeaways-what-we-learned-about-policy-gaps | A Government Technology analysis found that agencies often fail to audit ALPR systems regularly, leaving them "open to abuse by neglecting to institute sufficient oversight."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Davidson |first=Nikki |date=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 |access-date=5 Oct 2025 |website=Government Technology}}</ref> | ||
===Cost-benefit analysis=== | ===Cost-benefit analysis=== | ||