Local police address Flock controversy, emphasize safeguards, usefulness, and legality

Our Take

Credit to ABC News 4 (WCIV) for following up instead of letting agencies dodge the question the first time around. But notice the pattern here: when Flock's own CEO rolls out 'recommended' safeguards like public transparency portals, local departments get to pick and choose which ones they actually adopt — and reporters have to go chasing them down months later just to get a straight answer. That's not oversight, that's PR management with a badge attached.

'Legal' and 'useful' are doing a lot of work in that headline. Sure, ALPR data can help solve a stolen car case. It can also build a permanent, searchable record of where every driver in the Tri-County area goes, who they visit, and how often — all without a warrant, and often without the public even knowing the cameras exist until a reporter asks. Safeguards that are optional aren't safeguards. They're talking points.

If your department hasn't published a transparency portal, or you don't know how many Flock cameras are watching your commute, that's the actual story. Check our map to see what's already been deployed near you, and use our take-action guide to push your local council for real audits, not just press statements.