Flock ALPR: Promoted Police Depts Now Face Misuse Allegations
Original: Flock Highlighted Police Departments Using Its Tech. Now 4 Face Allegations of Misuse
Why This Matters
Widespread ALPR misuse allegations raise critical questions about oversight standards for surveillance tech deployed by law enforcement nationwide.
Flock Safety highlighted at least 4 police departments in YouTube videos that have since faced allegations of misusing its automatic license plate reader (ALPR) technology. Departments in Georgia, Texas, and elsewhere saw officers arrested, terminated, or placed on leave.
Flock Safety, the controversial ALPR company, previously featured four police departments on its YouTube channel that have since faced allegations of misusing its technology. The Savannah Police Department (featured March 2022) saw four officers and two workers placed on administrative leave after an internal probe found 'potential misuses.' The Albany Police Department (featured 2024) had five officers arrested and charged over alleged misuse. Sandy Springs Police Department (featured 2020) terminated one officer amid a misuse investigation. The Baytown Police Department (featured 2025) saw an officer resign during an ongoing investigation. Allegations of ALPR misuse have been reported across multiple states including Kansas, North Carolina, Ohio, and Wisconsin. In Georgia alone, misuse allegations extend to at least four additional county sheriff's offices. Flock spokesperson Paris Lewbel responded that 'misuse was identified and addressed,' arguing that detection and accountability mechanisms are functioning as intended. 'That should be viewed as evidence that oversight mechanisms are working, not as a sign that the entire department or city should be broadly condemned,' Lewbel stated. The pattern nonetheless shows misuse occurring even at departments publicly cited as model users of the technology.