Flock & ALPR Cameras in Montana
At least 87 automated license plate readers have been reported across Montana — the 46th most-surveilled state in the country by camera count.
Updated Oct 5, 2026 · Live data
87 automated license plate readers have been reported in Montana as of October 5, 2026, ranking it #46 of 52 states and territories. They are documented in 11 cities and towns across 13 counties. 84 percent are Flock Safety cameras.
12 cameras were added to the Montana map in the last 30 days and 3 were removed. The most recent camera was reported on September 10, 2026. Billings (52) has the most, followed by Orchard Homes (10) and Great Falls (4).
Source: community-mapped camera data (OpenStreetMap, ODbL) with DeFlock The USA’s permanent history.
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Every one of those 87 cameras photographs the plate of each car that passes it — logging where Montana 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.
- Sep 21 Flock Safety camera newly reported
- Sep 21 Flock Safety camera newly reported
- Sep 18 Flock Safety camera newly reported
- Sep 18 Flock Safety 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 Billings, MT. Newly mapped by volunteers — see what's watching. #ALPR #Surveillance #Billings
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 Montana, that’s 87 points quietly building a record of residents’ movements. See how the tech works and where your data goes.
How Montana compares
Montana ranks #46 of 52 states and territories by reported ALPR cameras — part of a fast-growing national footprint. Nationwide, volunteers have mapped over 142,000 cameras and counting. Nearby by camera count: District of Columbia (153), New Hampshire (69), South Dakota (174), Wyoming (72).
The latest from Montana
- AI-powered cameras expand across Montana
- Montana Senate candidate Seth Bodnar unloads shotgun on Flock Safety surveillance camera in campaign video
- Montana lawmaker looks to strengthen privacy laws on license plate recognition, camera use
- Montana confirms bird flu in Ravalli County chicken flock
- Montana lawmaker looks to strengthen privacy laws surrounding license plate recognition, camera use
The conversation about Montana:
DeFlock The USA@deflocktheusa.bsky.socialBluesky📷 15 new license plate readers just reported around Billings, MT. Newly mapped by volunteers — see what's watching. #ALPR #Surveillance #Billings3 weeks ago
Jordan van der Hagen@thejvandy.bsky.socialBlueskyFrom the Great Northern to the BNSF, It’s Still a Railroad Town. Havre, Montana3 weeks ago
The Great Pumpkinsquatch - Scott@mxscottkernest.bsky.socialBluesky@greatbadtimes.bsky.social and I noticed the Flock camera outside Lowe's in Kalispell is covered in red paint. Lol Flock Cameras In Bozeman Spark Privacy Concerns Across Montana www.fairfieldsuntimes.com/news/state/f...2 months ago
Drink of Jesus@[email protected]MastodonOVER THE HILL GANG CAR SHOW, TAKE OVER! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXumxtQYUqI Stew Leonard’s car show coverage over 400 classic cars, hot rods and custom builds completely packed out the lot as Stew Leonards in Newington, Connecticut, on Sunday, July 19,…2 months ago
[email protected]@[email protected]MastodonHow we are like sheep By Elizabeth Prata Reading through Chronicles is a ping pong ball of emotion. Yay, they got rid of the altars and high places! Oh no, they established altars again…Yay, they tore them down again…oh…3 months ago
Progressive News Service@prognews.bsky.socialBlueskyGovernments restricting use of license plate reader data. “...Arkansas, Idaho & Montana enacted laws last year designed to protect personal data collected through [LPRs].... Democratic-led cities in [7 states] last year terminated their contracts with Flock Safety..." stateline.org/2026/01/08/w...9 months agoAll surveillance news → · All video & feeds →
What you can do in Montana
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.
No local chapter in Montana yet — be the first, and we’ll list you.
Flock & ALPR cameras by city in Montana
We track 11 Montana cities and towns with reported cameras — each with its own local report:
Flock & ALPR cameras by county in Montana
13 Montana 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.