Flock & ALPR Cameras in Iowa
At least 918 automated license plate readers have been reported across Iowa — the 35th most-surveilled state in the country by camera count.
Updated Oct 6, 2026 · Live data
918 automated license plate readers have been reported in Iowa as of October 6, 2026, ranking it #35 of 52 states and territories. They are documented in 89 cities and towns across 41 counties. 94 percent are Flock Safety cameras.
92 cameras were added to the Iowa map in the last 30 days and 39 were removed. The most recent camera was reported on September 11, 2026. Altoona (68) has the most, followed by Marshalltown (51) and Cedar Rapids (50).
31 operators are named in the records, including Cedar Rapids Police Department, West Des Moines Police Department, Altoona Police Department. Source: community-mapped camera data (OpenStreetMap, ODbL) with DeFlock The USA’s permanent history.
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Every one of those 918 cameras photographs the plate of each car that passes it — logging where Iowa 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 5 Flock Safety camera newly reported
- Oct 4 Axis Communications camera newly reported
- Oct 4 LiveView Technologies camera newly reported
- Oct 4 Axis Communications camera newly reported
Newly reported by volunteers — cameras may have been up long before someone mapped them.
📷 Fort Dodge, IA just got its first reported license plate readers. Someone went out and looked — now it's on the map. #ALPR #Surveillance #FortDodge
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 Iowa, that’s 918 points quietly building a record of residents’ movements. See how the tech works and where your data goes.
How Iowa compares
Iowa ranks #35 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: Maryland (993), Nebraska (602), Nevada (963), Oregon (543).
The latest from Iowa
- Proposed state bill aims to put guardrails on ALPR cameras in Iowa
- Police find 2 missing girls, arrest 2 men using automated license plate readers in Iowa
- Coalition Led by Iowa Insurance Division's Fraud Bureau Receives National Award
- There is little state regulation of Flock cameras in Iowa. That could soon change.
- MORE BIRD FLU FOUND IN IOWA FLOCK
On camera in Iowa — each opens right here on DeFlock:
The conversation about Iowa:
DeFlock The USA@deflocktheusaBluesky📷 Fort Dodge, IA just got its first reported license plate readers. Someone went out and looked — now it's on the map. #ALPR #Surveillance #FortDodge7 days ago
KCUR (Kansas City's best news@kcur.orgBlueskyVolunteers have documented thousands of cameras across the Midwest, with clusters in areas like St. Louis; the Kansas City metro area; Des Moines, Iowa; and Omaha, Nebraska. But in recent months, Flock has found itself in an unusual…1 week agoKCUR (Kansas City's best news@kcur.orgBlueskyFlock Safety cameras have sparked bipartisan uproar with many worried that the cameras, which scan license plates, infringe on privacy. Misuse of the cameras and their data has been documented across Missouri, Kansas, Iowa and Nebraska.2 weeks ago
Climate, Ecology, War & More:@bigearthdata.aiBlueskyCities around Iowa ditch Flock cameras amid growing privacy concerns ->Iowa Public Radio | More on "Surveillance cameras and privacy rights" at BigEarthData.ai | #Privacy1 month ago
The Cool Down@[email protected]MastodonIowa police department drops Flock cameras as privacy fight heads to state lawmakers https://www.thecooldown.com/green-tech/waukee-iowa-police-flock-safety-contract-privacy-concerns/?utm_source=flipboard&utm_medium=activitypub Posted into The Cool Down @the-cool-down-TheCoolDown2 months ago
Iowa Pulse@iowapulse.bsky.socialBlueskyThe Waukee Police Department is stepping away from Flock Safety, announcing it will not renew its relationship with the company while Iowa lawmakers continue considering how automated license plate reader technology should be regulated. Read more: iowaspulse.com/wauke...2 months agoAll surveillance news → · All video & feeds →
What you can do in Iowa
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.
Eyes Off Cedar Rapids — Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Independently run local group listed on the DeFlock project directory (deflock.org).
Join the fight ↗Flock & ALPR cameras by city in Iowa
We track 89 Iowa cities and towns with reported cameras — each with its own local report:
Flock & ALPR cameras by county in Iowa
41 Iowa 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.