Stalked by Police Chief Using Flock Camera
The short version: Journalist Lisa Cabrera reports on a police chief allegedly using Flock license plate cameras to track someone outside any legitimate investigation, spotlighting how easily these systems can be weaponized.
Our Take
Credit to Lisa Cabrera for digging into a story that confirms what critics of ALPR networks have warned for years: the person controlling the database doesn't always stay inside the lines. A police chief with access to a Flock camera system isn't just a cop with a badge, he's a cop with a search engine that tracks where you sleep, work, and worship — and apparently little stopping him from pointing it at someone for personal reasons instead of a real case.
This is the quiet danger of these networks. Departments sell Flock to city councils as a tool for solving car thefts and Amber Alerts, but the same system logs every plate that passes a camera, forever searchable by whoever has login credentials. Audit logs exist on paper, but as this story shows, they only matter if someone is actually watching the watchers. When the watcher is the chief himself, who holds him accountable?
Stories like this are exactly why we track where these cameras live and push for real guardrails before more go up in your town. Check the map to see what's already watching your neighborhood, and visit take action for ways to push back on unchecked ALPR access where you live.
This is DeFlock The USA’s original commentary. The video above is the work of Lisa Cabrera, published on YouTube — full credit to the creator.