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New police arrests, firings for Flock misuse after our investigation

New police arrests, firings for Flock misuse after our investigation

At least four more police officers were arrested or fired for alleged misuse of Flock license plate cameras after USA TODAY found troubling patterns.

Wyoming Communities Debate Use of Flock Surveillance Cameras Amid National Backlash

Wyoming Communities Debate Use of Flock Surveillance Cameras Amid National Backlash

Across Wyoming, communities are engaged in heated debates over the deployment of Flock Safety automated license plate reader (ALPR) cameras, reflecting a national backlash against pervasive surveillance technology. While some law enforcement agencies, like those in Cheyenne and Jackson, embrace the cameras as vital tools for solving crimes, locating runaways, and tracking stolen vehicles, many residents and some sheriffs express strong concerns about privacy violations and the Fourth Amendment. In Green River, the city council rejected a federal grant for Motorola ALPRs due to public distrust. Conversely, Glenrock police operate five Flock cameras, sparking local furor over oversight and civil liberties. The Laramie County Sheriff's Office has explicitly avoided Flock cameras due to constitutional concerns, despite their use by the Cheyenne Police Department. The technology uses AI to monitor and photograph passing vehicles, uploading data to a central system searchable by participating agencies, though so...

Arizona Republic

Tempe aims to be first AZ city to ban automated license plate readers

Tempe aims to be first AZ city to ban automated license plate readers

As backlash against automated license plate readers supplied by Flock Safety grows, Tempe is spearheading efforts to ban the technology.

Representatives Massie and Burlison Introduce 'Flock-Off Act' to Prohibit Federal Funding for Networked Surveillance Cameras

Representatives Massie and Burlison Introduce 'Flock-Off Act' to Prohibit Federal Funding for Networked Surveillance Cameras

U.S. Representatives Thomas Massie (R-Kentucky) and Eric Burlison (R-Missouri) have introduced the bipartisan 'Flock-Off Act' on September 2. This proposed legislation aims to prohibit the use of federal funds for the purchase, installation, operation, maintenance, or upgrade of networked automated license plate readers (ALPRs) and biometric surveillance cameras. The bill also extends to associated databases and data-sharing systems. This initiative comes amidst growing backlash against companies like Flock Safety, which provide these surveillance technologies, and follows increasing concerns over privacy and potential misuse by law enforcement. The Security Industry Association (SIA) has defended the use of ALPRs but advocates for stronger privacy safeguards, restrictions on data sharing, regular audits, and penalties for misuse, while opposing warrant requirements for database searches.

Franklin County Sheriff's Office Investigates Deputy for Potential Misuse of Flock Camera Data

Franklin County Sheriff's Office Investigates Deputy for Potential Misuse of Flock Camera Data

Franklin County Sheriff Dallas Baldwin announced that his office is investigating a deputy for the potential misuse of Flock camera data. This internal review was initiated after reports of similar technology misuse, including at the Columbus Division of Police. The review flagged specific searches conducted by a deputy, raising concerns about the appropriate use of the automated license plate reader system. Sheriff Baldwin did not disclose the identity of the deputy or the specific nature of the misuse. He clarified that while the sheriff's office does not have a contract for stationary Flock cameras, it does utilize mobile cameras for specific investigations, such as homicides and missing persons cases. Additionally, the office has agreements with several townships that grant access to Flock data. Baldwin emphasized his commitment to public privacy and trust, stating that while these cameras are valuable investigative tools, their use must be strictly for legitimate purposes.

Representatives Massie and Burlison Introduce 'Flock-Off Act' to Prohibit Federal Funding for Surveillance Technologies

Representatives Massie and Burlison Introduce 'Flock-Off Act' to Prohibit Federal Funding for Surveillance Technologies

U.S. Representatives Thomas Massie (R-KY) and Eric Burlison (R-MO) have introduced H.R. 10221, known as the 'Flock-Off Act.' This legislation aims to address growing concerns about government surveillance by prohibiting the use of federal funds for the purchase, installation, maintenance, operation, or upgrade of automated license plate readers (ALPRs) and biometric surveillance cameras. The move comes amidst increasing scrutiny of companies like Flock Safety, which provides extensive surveillance networks, including drone-based systems capable of automatically launching in response to incidents and collecting vast amounts of data. Critics argue that these technologies, such as Flock's Alpha drone, which can fly at 60 mph and use thermal imaging to read license plates from 2,000 feet, turn public spaces into searchable surveillance networks and can lead to mass data collection on innocent individuals.

Kentucky Lawmakers Consider Stricter Regulations for Automated License Plate Readers

Kentucky Lawmakers Consider Stricter Regulations for Automated License Plate Readers

Kentucky lawmakers are considering updates to a new state law, House Bill 58, which regulates law enforcement's use of Automated License Plate Readers (ALPRs). The Interim Joint Committee on Judiciary recently discussed the need for more regulations as ALPR technology evolves, addressing privacy concerns. Stakeholders, including Flock Safety, a provider of ALPR technology, participated in the discussion. Kevin Kane, Director of Governmental Affairs for Flock Safety, stated the company was pleased with HB 58 and emphasized that ALPRs are vital for law enforcement but require strong policy and guardrails. He also clarified that Flock Safety does not own, control, or sell collected data and is implementing measures like requiring case codes for data access and providing audit tools for oversight. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the Cato Institute advocated for further legislation to prevent mass government surveillance, recommending data deletion within 48 hours instead of the current 90 days an...

Wyoming Communities Divided Over Flock Surveillance Cameras Amid National Backlash

Wyoming Communities Divided Over Flock Surveillance Cameras Amid National Backlash

Communities across Wyoming are experiencing significant debate and division regarding the implementation and use of Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) cameras, particularly those from Flock Safety. In Glenrock, residents expressed strong concerns about the five Flock cameras operated by the police department, questioning oversight and civil liberties. Green River's City Council voted 6-1 to reject a federal grant for Motorola ALPRs due to public distrust over data storage and Fourth Amendment concerns. Conversely, cities like Cheyenne and Jackson have embraced Flock cameras, with police departments defending them as crucial tools for criminal investigations. Cheyenne police reported 223,424 unique plate reads and 607 'hotlist hits' in 30 days. However, the Laramie County Sheriff's Office has declined to deploy Flock cameras, citing Fourth Amendment concerns due to their AI capabilities and ability to search vehicle characteristics beyond license plates.

Law Enforcement Agencies Conceal Surveillance Tech Use to Avoid Scrutiny and Public Backlash

Law Enforcement Agencies Conceal Surveillance Tech Use to Avoid Scrutiny and Public Backlash

Law enforcement agencies across the U.S. are actively concealing their use of surveillance technologies, such as Automated License Plate Readers (ALPRs), cell-site simulators, and facial recognition, to avoid public scrutiny and negative public relations. Recent reports indicate that police departments are instructing officers not to mention ALPR usage during vehicle stops or in official reports unless absolutely necessary. For example, a county in Iowa's policy for Flock ALPR cameras explicitly states, 'DO NOT MENTION ALPR USAGE TO THE OCCUPANTS OF THE VEHICLE' and 'DO NOT MENTION ALPR USAGE IN YOUR REPORT OR COMPLAINT UNLESS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY.' Similarly, Houston police are advised to be 'as vague as permissible' about using Flock systems. This practice of concealment is not new, with historical examples including AT&T's Hemisphere tool and the use of cell-site simulators, where evidence was often 'laundered' through parallel construction or cases were dropped to avoid revealing the technology's use.

Houston-Area Communities Suspend Flock Camera Use Amid Privacy Concerns

Houston-Area Communities Suspend Flock Camera Use Amid Privacy Concerns

Two communities in the Houston area, Manvel and Willis, have suspended their use of Flock Safety cameras following resident concerns over privacy. The city council of Manvel, located south of Houston, unanimously voted to cancel its contract with Flock Safety, a technology surveillance company. Concurrently, the mayor of Willis, north of Houston, announced a pause in the city's use of Flock cameras, pending a city council meeting. These decisions come as Flock faces increasing national scrutiny regarding its nationwide camera network. Manvel Mayor Dan Davis stated that the law enforcement benefits of Flock cameras cannot outweigh the responsibility of elected officials to ensure residents' right to privacy. He expressed concerns about the company's use of anonymized data to train its AI systems and the potential for other agencies to access Manvel's Flock system. Manvel's City Council will give Flock 30 days' notice to terminate the contract and will immediately cover existing cameras to prevent further re...

Kenosha Police Transition from Flock to Axon for Surveillance Technology Amidst Privacy Concerns

Kenosha Police Transition from Flock to Axon for Surveillance Technology Amidst Privacy Concerns

The Kenosha Police Department is replacing its Flock Safety license plate reader cameras with Axon's Outpost system. This transition comes as police departments across Wisconsin are facing backlash against Flock Safety due to concerns over mass surveillance and data misuse. Kenosha signed a long-term contract with Axon in January, a competitor that already provides the department with body cameras, Tasers, and cloud-based evidence systems. The city is in the process of replacing its 31 Flock cameras with 31 Outpost cameras. This shift is partly driven by a desire to move away from the controversy surrounding Flock, despite Kenosha not having reported any misuse of the system by its officers. Kenosha Alderman Art Debaere noted that the city wanted to avoid the 'bad press' associated with Flock. The new Axon Outpost system offers both automated license plate recognition (ALPR) and live video in a single unit.

Kalamazoo City Commission Delays Vote on Broad Surveillance Technology Oversight

Kalamazoo City Commission Delays Vote on Broad Surveillance Technology Oversight

The Kalamazoo City Commission has postponed a vote on an amendment to its purchasing policy that would require commission approval for contracts involving police surveillance technology. Initially, the proposed amendment focused specifically on Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) technology, mandating commission approval regardless of the contract's dollar amount. However, during the September 8 meeting, commissioners expressed a desire for broader oversight. Vice Mayor Drew Duncan advocated for the policy to cover all law enforcement surveillance technology, including renewals, extensions, and successor vendors, not just new ALPR contracts. Commissioner Chris Praedel highlighted other surveillance tools like video cameras, drones, and gunshot-detection systems, suggesting a more comprehensive term like 'law enforcement surveillance technology.' Commissioner Jae Slaby also raised concerns about potential misuse by city employees outside of law enforcement. The commission ultimately voted 6-1 to postpone ...