Cedar Rapids Police Department to Transition from Flock to Axon Automated License Plate Readers
The Cedar Rapids Police Department (CRPD) will not renew its contract with Flock Safety for automated license plate readers (ALPRs) when it expires in February. Instead, the department plans to replace the existing Flock cameras with ALPRs from Axon. This decision follows a nationwide trend of law enforcement agencies transitioning from Flock to Axon technology. Axon, a company known for manufacturing tasers, body-worn cameras, and various police software, was an early investor in Flock, though their partnership concluded in early 2025. Cedar Rapids already utilizes other Axon technologies, such as the Fusus real-time intelligence platform, which integrates officer location, body-cam footage, and dispatch data. Captain Cody Estling, head of the Criminal Investigations Division, stated that Axon Outpost license plate readers will seamlessly integrate into the department's existing Axon ecosystem, enhancing efficiency.