Flock & ALPR Cameras in Alabama
At least 2,911 automated license plate readers have been reported across Alabama — the 15th most-surveilled state in the country by camera count.
Updated Oct 6, 2026 · Live data
2,911 automated license plate readers have been reported in Alabama as of October 6, 2026, ranking it #15 of 52 states and territories. They are documented in 253 cities and towns across 60 counties. 89 percent are Flock Safety cameras.
309 cameras were added to the Alabama map in the last 30 days and 57 were removed. The most recent camera was reported on September 11, 2026. Birmingham (128) has the most, followed by Phenix City (95) and Montgomery (79).
10 operators are named in the records, including Lowe's, The Home Depot, Alabama Department of Transportation. Source: community-mapped camera data (OpenStreetMap, ODbL) with DeFlock The USA’s permanent history.
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Every one of those 2,911 cameras photographs the plate of each car that passes it — logging where Alabama drivers go, when, and how often, whether or not anyone is suspected of a crime. Here’s what that means, and what you can do about it.
Every record for this area on the Docket → · nothing is ever deleted.
- Oct 6 Motorola Solutions camera newly reported
- Oct 6 Axis Communications camera newly reported
- Oct 6 Axis Communications camera newly reported
- Oct 6 Motorola Solutions camera newly reported
Newly reported by volunteers — cameras may have been up long before someone mapped them.
📷 15 new license plate readers just reported around Lake Purdy, AL. Newly mapped by volunteers — see what's watching. #ALPR #Surveillance #LakePurdy
📷 Chickasaw, AL just got its first reported license plate readers. Someone went out and looked — now it's on the map. #ALPR #Surveillance #Chickasaw
📷 11 new license plate readers just reported around Semmes, AL. Newly mapped by volunteers — see what's watching. #ALPR #Surveillance #Semmes
What these cameras actually do
Automated license plate readers (ALPRs) like those sold by Flock Safety aren’t normal traffic cameras. Each one reads every passing plate, stamps it with a time and location, and stores it in a searchable database — often shared across agencies. Across Alabama, that’s 2,911 points quietly building a record of residents’ movements. See how the tech works and where your data goes.
How Alabama compares
Alabama ranks #15 of 52 states and territories by reported ALPR cameras — part of a fast-growing national footprint. Nationwide, volunteers have mapped over 143,000 cameras and counting. Nearby by camera count: Arizona (2,693), Colorado (2,731), Missouri (3,443), Virginia (3,435).
The latest from Alabama
- Alabama political leaders address Flock cameras
- Concerns about misuse of flock cameras cross Alabama’s political aisle
- Alabama Sen. Britt joins Georgia senator in calling for Flock camera safeguards
- Alabama, Georgia senators push DOJ for license plate reader safeguards
- Who’s Reading Your Tag? Records show 430 police sensors approved across central Alabama
On camera in Alabama — each opens right here on DeFlock:
The conversation about Alabama:
DeFlock The USA@deflocktheusaBluesky📷 15 new license plate readers just reported around Lake Purdy, AL. Newly mapped by volunteers — see what's watching. #ALPR #Surveillance #LakePurdy2 weeks ago★ Our signalDeFlock The USA@deflocktheusa.bsky.socialBluesky📷 Chickasaw, AL just got its first reported license plate readers. Someone went out and looked — now it's on the map. #ALPR #Surveillance #Chickasaw2 weeks ago
The Birmingham Free Press@ssmithfineart.bsky.socialBluesky1 month ago
Tom Gibson@tmgibs.bsky.socialBlueskyAn investigation reveals how Alabama’s largest utility markets Flock Safety cameras to local governments, bundling surveillance costs into power bills1 month ago
kindnessgal.bsky.social@kindnessgal.bsky.socialBluesky1819news.com/news/item/re... Good News 4 U 🚀 goodnews4u.app1 month ago★ Our signalDeFlock The USA@deflocktheusaMastodon📷 11 new license plate readers just reported around Semmes, AL. Newly mapped by volunteers — see what's watching. #ALPR #Surveillance #Semmes1 month agoAll surveillance news → · All video & feeds →
What you can do in Alabama
You don’t have to accept it — and you don’t have to be anti-safety to demand accountability. File a public records request to learn your town’s retention and data-sharing policy, speak up at a city-council meeting, and see the full playbook on our Take Action page.
Not sure what one looks like? See photographs of installed cameras before you go looking.
DeFlock Birmingham — Birmingham, Alabama
“We’re Flocked” — mapping and challenging the camera network across the Magic City.
Join the fight ↗Flock & ALPR cameras by city in Alabama
We track 256 Alabama cities and towns with reported cameras — each with its own local report:
Flock & ALPR cameras by county in Alabama
60 Alabama counties have at least one reported camera. Tap any county for its full local report.
Counts come from the open-source DeFlock project’s volunteer reports and update as new cameras are mapped. A county not listed has no reported cameras yet — not necessarily none. Spot one? Report it.