Flock cameras spark critics and vandals. What’s going on?
License plate readers have been attacked nationwide, and a growing number of cities have abandoned their use of the controversial police technology.
More and more Flock cameras are popping up across the country and citizens concerned with a growing surveillance presence are creating websites to help keep their neighbors informed.
Open-source websites like DeFlock and Eyes On Flock allow online users to track where Flock, and other automated license plate readers, are installed throughout the United States and how this information is being used by organizations that install them.
Specifically, DeFlock operates an interactive map that depicts installed cameras, while Eyes On Flock allows users to see what organizations are searching Flock’s database to pull license plate information − and why. Another website, Have I Been Flocked?, allows online users to enter license plate numbers to see if they have been captured by any automated license plate readers.
Flock cameras have sparked a divide over whether they help deter crime or if the surveillance goes too far in infringing on citizens’ privacy.
What are Flock cameras? Why are they controversial?
Flock is just one brand of automated license plate readers, manufactured by Flock Safety. Automated license plate readers, also manufactured by companies like Motorola Solutions and Genetec, can capture a vehicle’s license plate number, make, model, color and other identifying features, like bumper stickers and body damage. They are being installed by local law enforcement, municipalities and private entities, like home and businessowners, who say the cameras are deterring crime and catching criminals.
Flock Safety provides law enforcement access to a searchable, nationwide database that the company and its supporters say helped police locate missing people, recover stolen vehicles and track down suspects including in high profile crimes like the 2025 mass shooting at Brown University.
But critics call the cameras a privacy nightmare, with some going as far as claiming the cameras are a breach of the Fourth Amendment, which protects U.S. citizens from unreasonable searches and seizures by the government. Distaste for the cameras, in some areas, has even gone as far as vandalism.
Automated license plate readers have been shot at in Tennessee, hit with a truck in California, beat with a baseball bat in Virginia, cut down with a saw in Texas, splattered with paint in New York and regularly blocked by a lone protester in Florida.
Flock Safety did not immediately respond for comment about the creation of these community-led websites when contacted by USA TODAY on Aug. 10. However, the company previously told USA TODAY it does not condemn vandalism toward its equipment.
“People have every right to make their voices heard, but criminal acts should never be part of that process,” spokesperson Paris Lewbel said. “Damaging public safety equipment ultimately hurts the very communities this technology is there to help protect.”
How many Flock cameras are there in the US?
As of June 25, Flock Safety reported it was operating more than 120,000 cameras across 49 states. DeFlock reported more than 127,000 automated license plate readers (not just Flock cameras) on Aug. 10.
Ways to check if Flock cameras are in your neighborhood
DeFlock, a volunteer-led organization, operates and interactive map that shows where automated license plate readers are installed throughout the United States. In addition to a main website, several city-specific DeFlock websites have popped up since the organization’s start in 2024. These websites are managed by local groups in their respective cities. As for populating the map, anyone can submit a newly spotted automated license plate reader.
Like Google Maps, this website allows you to plan trips around Flock cameras
Powered by DeFlock’s data, another website called FlockHopper helps users plan a road trip by avoiding the most automated license plate readers as possible. Similar to Google Maps, online users can enter start and end points into FlockHopper. The website (and mobile app available for Apple users) informs users how many automated license plate readers they will pass on the route and offers a route for avoiding the most cameras, which tends to be longer than a direct route.
Ways to check if your license plate has been ‘Flocked’
A website called Have I Been Flocked? allows online users to search their license plate number to see if it has been picked up by an automated license plate reader.
According to the website, the searchable data comes from Flock Transparency Portals and public records requests submitted by Have I Been Flocked volunteers. Anyone is also capable of submitting public records requests with information about automated license plate readers to the website.
Local entities, Flock operate ‘transparency portals’
In addition to these community-operated websites, entities that partner with Flock may create a Flock Transparency Portal, a public-facing search audit.
The portal, which automatically pulls information from the entity and Flock Safety, allows community members to see how many cameras the entity manages, how many vehicles have been detected over a 30-day period, what networks, or other entities, the data is being shared with (i.e. one police department with another) and how the entity is utilizing the cameras. Entities are not required to manage a transparency portal.
Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Story idea? Email her at gcross@usatoday.com.