Flock

Flock cameras record license plate numbers across a nationwide network to assist law enforcement investigations, but the technology has faced scrutiny regarding privacy concerns and data misuse. In response to this backlash, multiple locations in Minnesota have reported instances of vandalism or are electing to end their use of the camera system. Consequently, a website is available allowing people to check if their vehicle’s information was captured in the database.

A new website has been developed that allows users to track if their license plate was searched within the Flock or LPR camera network. The searches for the plates are reportedly conducted by law enforcement. This tool provides information about the monitoring data collected by these surveillance networks.

Norfolk Mayor Kenny Alexander is enforcing a City Council speaker policy designed to limit repetitive public comments. This action occurs as advocacy groups protest the city's automatic license plate reader cameras, which have raised privacy concerns during monthly council meetings.

A website called HaveIBeenFlocked allows drivers to audit whether their license plates were searched by Flock surveillance cameras using public records derived from FOIA requests. The system's existence has fueled controversy regarding potential misuse of the technology by law enforcement, including personal tracking incidents. In response, Flock CEO Garrett Langley announced changes to the system, including a tool designed to flag abnormal search behavior.

Harvey is expanding its police surveillance network using Flock camera technology amid privacy concerns. While some cities are canceling contracts with Flock, one Chicago-area suburb is instead embracing this system. Furthermore, law enforcement gave the ABC7 I-Team a look at the new real-time crime system.

Numerous reports indicate that license plate reading cameras have been targeted with vandalism across and around Metro Detroit.

Sterling Heights police defended their use of Flock license plate reader cameras during a City Council meeting amid privacy concerns raised by council members and residents. Police Chief Andrew Satterfield stated that the cameras capture vehicle plate snapshots at major intersections, noting that the data is deleted after 30 days unless flagged for an investigation. However, some critics questioned the system's scope and expressed concern about data accessibility and sharing access with neighboring departments or federal agencies.

A Mooresville police officer has been dismissed and charged for misusing a Flock law enforcement database, according to Iredell County court records. The officer was arrested following the data misuse incident.

An independent congressional candidate in Tennessee faces four felony vandalism charges for allegedly shooting four automated license plate reader (ALPR) cameras between July 14 and 22. The case involves cameras manufactured by Flock, and one was targeted on the grounds of a place of worship during a service. The candidate's opponent introduced a bill to restrict federal and state use of ALPR technology.

Flock cameras in Minnesota have been stolen or vandalized, sparking debates about public safety and privacy. A Republican gubernatorial candidate, Mike Lindell, faces allegations over campaign pillows valued at $35 versus his claim of $4.90. An ICE agent, Christian Castro, is in custody in Texas and sought for extradition to Minnesota.

Dallas police use Flock license plate cameras to solve crimes, but privacy concerns have led Congressman Keith Self to propose the Privacy Act.

Justin Lee Campbell, 42, is charged with stealing a Flock camera from a Faribault intersection and attempting to dismantle it. Law enforcement found the camera at his property after a shop employee reported him bragging about the theft.

A deputy used Flock license plate reader cameras to locate a missing girl in under 30 minutes. The suspect, an 18-year-old Toledo man, was detained with a loaded 9 mm handgun. Lucas County Sheriff’s Office credited the Flock system for enabling a swift resolution.

A deputy used Flock license plate reader cameras to locate a missing girl in under 30 minutes in Ohio. The suspect, an 18-year-old Toledo man, was detained with a loaded 9 mm handgun. The sheriff’s office credited the Flock system for the swift resolution.

Sterling Heights City Council demands transparency from the Flock license plate reader program, requiring a year of logs as privacy concerns grow. Residents and council members question data usage and access, while police defend the technology as a critical crime-fighting tool with safeguards.

CMPD Officer Seth Elliott was charged with misusing law enforcement databases to assist Michael Kuester, a drug suspect. Warrants detail Elliott running license plates via Flock and CJLeads for Kuester through Snapchat, while Kuester conducted multiple drug sales to an undercover Watauga County Sheriff’s detective using Telegram and various vehicles.

Three people were arrested in Gaston County after Flock cameras flagged a stolen car. Devone Walker, identified as a convicted felon, was charged with firearm and concealed weapon offenses, Keyshawn Gilmore, the alleged driver, had an outstanding warrant, and Anthony Goddard was charged with drug possession. The investigation began with a Flock camera alert.

A Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department officer used Flock and the CJLEADS system to provide license plate information of an undercover officer to a subject in a drug investigation. The officer, Seth Elliott, was arrested by the SBI and charged with a misdemeanor for the unauthorized access.

Tennessee Congressman Tim Burchett introduced a bill to limit federal funds for automated surveillance technology. The article notes Mt. Juliet says 'not Flock,' though this reference is unclear.

A Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police officer was arrested and charged with unauthorized access to government computer systems Flock and CJLeads for non-law enforcement purposes. The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation discovered the incident during an unrelated investigation.

Vigilantes in California, alarmed by a new surveillance network, allegedly engaged in a rampage. Marcus Bee, 40, reportedly destroyed three Flock cameras in Monterey County, with video evidence showing him ramming one with his truck.

A growing vigilante movement is targeting Flock surveillance cameras. The movement's goal is to disable these cameras.

An underground network of privacy activists in the US is disabling or destroying Flock surveillance cameras. One activist, 'NoMark,' attempted to disrupt a camera feed, expressing nervousness during the process.

Three Flock license plate readers were deliberately destroyed in Troy overnight, according to Troy Mayor Carmella Mantello. She shared photos of the damage on her Facebook page on Friday.

The U.S. Senate confirmed Benjamin Flowers to a lifetime seat on the Sixth Circuit Court over Democratic objections to his refusal to acknowledge the 2020 election result. Columbus Police used the Flock AI surveillance system to monitor ICE during immigration arrests, and Columbus City Council proposed data center regulations instead of a ban despite community demands.

Florida's Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) secretly investigated critics of its policies, including opponents of a bear hunt, by accessing their driving records and using highway surveillance cameras to track their movements. The agency's chair, Rodney Barreto, admitted to the practice but dismissed it as routine, despite no criminal investigations being active against the targets.

A Gastonia couple, Cedric Ford and Sanja Stallings, falsely reported being victims of a drive-by shooting after Ford was actually shot during an attempted burglary at a home. The homeowner, Donald Bolynn, fired a single shot at Ford following a break-in attempt, leading to Ford and Stallings being charged with first-degree burglary.

A Star Tribune investigation found that at least 30 agencies accessed Flock traffic camera data for immigration enforcement during Operation Metro Surge. Some jurisdictions, including Brooklyn Park and Columbia Heights, have ended ties with Flock over concerns about the use of traffic data for immigration purposes.

Three Fayetteville Police Department officers were terminated for allegedly misusing Flock cameras to conduct unauthorized searches, including checking personal and family license plates. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is conducting a criminal probe, following similar incidents in Greene and Cherokee counties. Flock cameras, which retain location data for 30 days and are shared with external agencies, have sparked privacy concerns and protests.

Three Fayetteville Police Department officers were fired for allegedly misusing Flock cameras by conducting unauthorized searches, including looking up personal license plates. The department cited violations of policy and referred the case to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation for a criminal probe. Similar misuse by officers in Greene and Cherokee Counties has also been reported, raising concerns about privacy and surveillance.

The Fayetteville Police Department fired three officers for misusing Flock cameras to conduct unauthorized searches, including personal license plates. The department, along with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, is investigating, following similar cases in Greene and Cherokee Counties. Flock cameras, which retain location data for 30 days and track individuals, have sparked privacy concerns and protests nationwide.

A hit-and-run suspect, Jermaine Latimore Davie, was arrested in Chester after striking an elderly man in a wheelchair. The victim was hospitalized, and Davie is detained at Chester County Detention Center with no bond. Police used witness accounts and vehicle damage to identify him.

Google is constructing a $500 million data center in rural Ohio amid community opposition and tax break disputes. Amazon and Meta are avoiding millions in property taxes for Ohio data centers, while a new study highlights worker shortages impacting Ohio's small businesses. Over 900 Ohio jobs were lost in June layoffs, and Columbus police face scrutiny over their use of Flock license plate readers.

Recall organizers targeting Oakland County's Dave Woodward plan to collect signatures starting July 25 after a judge has not ruled on his appeal against the recall petitions approved on April 27. The effort, led by I Am Oakland County, is due to Woodward's consulting work with companies like Sheetz and the controversial Flock drone trial agreement.

AI discovered a root bug in Linux that had gone unnoticed for 15 years. The Pentagon is training amateur hackers to join its ranks, and a Flock license plate reader error led to police surrounding a car reviewer.

A car reviewer in Minnesota was swarmed by police in Plymouth after a Flock camera mistakenly identified the Range Rover he was driving as stolen.

Jason Michael Trevino was fatally shot by law enforcement during a standoff on Interstate 40 in Jackson, Tennessee, after being accused of abducting a child. The incident began with a domestic violence report in Columbus, Ohio, leading to a multi-state pursuit and the use of spike strips to stop Trevino's vehicle. The child was released during the standoff, but Trevino brandished a weapon, prompting officers to open fire.

Flock cameras are being removed in Westland as the city council has decided not to renew their contract, marking a significant development in the ongoing backlash against the surveillance technology.

Police in Pageland are investigating the cutting down of two Flock safety cameras used to locate stolen cars and wanted suspects. Concerns about privacy related to Flock cameras have been raised, with the company stating their license plate readers only capture still images deleted after 30 days and activate video networks only after specific calls for help.

Alameda County approved a $2.4 million surveillance contract with Flock after the Board of Supervisors voted 3-2, following the discovery that county surveillance data was illegally shared with federal authorities.