Flock Safety

A 20-year-old South Carolina man, Raimon St. John Campbell, was arrested in Boone on an outstanding murder warrant after law enforcement used a Flock Safety automated license plate reader system to locate his vehicle. The arrest followed coordination between Boone Police Department, Watauga County Sheriff’s Office, and Greenville County Sheriff’s Office, resulting in his capture at the Watauga County Recreation Center.

Two Flock Safety cameras in Chesterfield County, South Carolina, were intentionally cut down over the Fourth of July weekend. The cameras, used by police to solve crimes by reading license plates and vehicle details, have sparked mixed public reactions, with some residents expressing privacy concerns. Authorities are seeking information about the vandalism.

Two Flock Safety camera poles were intentionally cut down in Pageland, South Carolina, as part of a nationwide controversy over the AI-enabled surveillance devices. The cameras, used by law enforcement and private entities, have sparked debates about privacy and oversight despite claims they help solve crimes.

Orchestra, a startup, has installed over 100 street-facing cameras in San Francisco and plans to add 900 more, using AI to convert live footage into searchable data for police, insurers, real estate, and autonomous vehicle companies. The company aims to expand its 'AGI for cities' initiative globally, emphasizing anonymized data and avoiding facial recognition.

St. Paul police and civil rights advocates debate the use of Flock Safety cameras, which use automated license plate readers to scan vehicles. Critics cite concerns over data sharing with federal immigration agencies, while proponents argue the technology aids crime prevention. Some Minnesota cities have canceled Flock contracts, but St. Paul's contract remains active through 2028.

Oakland County faces controversy over a 911 drone contract with Flock Safety, prompting public protests and a recall effort against County Commission Chair Dave Woodward. Residents criticize the contract for privacy concerns, while Flock claims its drones are used for emergency response without surveillance. The dispute intensified after officials moved public comment to after a vote approving the contract.

Fort Collins city council canceled its contract with Flock Safety, shutting down 15 license plate reader cameras after resident concerns about mass surveillance. The 6-1 vote followed privacy complaints, with council member Anne Nelson citing risks of data access beyond police use. Fort Collins Police Chief Jeff Swoboda supported the decision, stating the department would continue solving crime without the tool.

Fort Collins has canceled its contract with Flock Safety, shutting down 15 license plate reader cameras after a year and a half due to resident concerns over mass surveillance. City officials and residents expressed privacy concerns, while police acknowledged the tool's crime-solving benefits but supported its removal.

Flock Safety claims its cameras do not track people, but its training videos demonstrate police using the system to track suspects across multiple locations. Security researcher Benn Jordan and app DeFlock founder Will Freeman highlight that Flock's Condor cameras use AI to follow individuals, and police can access 30 days of vehicle movement data without a warrant.

Flock Safety claims its surveillance cameras do not track people, but its training videos demonstrate police using the system to track suspects across locations. Security researcher Benn Jordan revealed Flock cameras stream openly online, while DeFlock app founder Will Freeman mapped 88,970 cameras. Flock's Condor cameras use AI to follow pedestrians, contradicting the company's assertion that it only captures fixed points in time.

Flock Safety claims its surveillance cameras do not track people, but its training videos show police using the system to track suspects across locations. The company's Condor cameras use AI to follow pedestrians, and its license plate readers enable warrantless tracking of vehicles for 30 days. Security researcher Benn Jordan and app developer Will Freeman have highlighted the invasive capabilities of Flock's network.

Westchester County deployed a 600-camera license plate reader network that collected 1.6 billion scans shared with ICE and other agencies, prompting a lawsuit alleging unconstitutional warrantless surveillance. The suit claims the system violates privacy rights by tracking millions of drivers without legislative authorization.

Bow Mar officials approved installing gates on public roads like South Sheridan Boulevard to restrict non-resident traffic, prompting Denver and Littleton mayors to threaten retaliatory road closures. The mayors argue the gates disrupt shared road access and create safety concerns, while Bow Mar claims over 50% of traffic through the town is 'cut-through' traffic.

Flock Safety's license plate reading cameras face controversy in Wisconsin as communities like Dane County and Verona drop contracts due to privacy concerns. Misuse by officers, including tracking romantic partners, and activist opposition from groups like Milwaukee4Palestine highlight tensions between surveillance technology and civil liberties.

A shooting rampage in Austin, Texas, left four people injured and three teenagers were taken into custody. The suspects allegedly stole cars and firearms during the spree. A retired police officer criticized the city council for stripping the police department of key technologies.

License plate cameras have been installed at some Home Depot and Lowe's stores in Connecticut, sparking privacy concerns among shoppers. The cameras, known as automated license plate readers, capture vehicle information and can be used to prevent theft and solve crimes. However, privacy advocates worry about the potential misuse of the collected data.

US cities are discontinuing Flock Safety surveillance technology amid controversy.