Technology explainer
How Flock Safety cameras work
The most widely discussed Flock product is an automated license plate reader, or ALPR. It records vehicle observations in public view so authorized agencies can receive alerts and search recent observations. The exact rules depend on the agency, contract, local law, and product.
The basic workflow
From a vehicle observation to an investigative lead
A vehicle passes a fixed camera
The LPR system captures a still image of a vehicle in public view, along with its plate, visible vehicle characteristics, time and camera location. The LPR product does not use facial recognition.
Flock Safety data-privacy documentationA plate can generate an alert
When an observed plate matches a qualifying law-enforcement list—such as a stolen vehicle or an AMBER or Silver Alert—the system can notify authorized officers. The alert is a lead, not proof of who is driving.
City of Englewood transparency pageInvestigators can search recent observations
Authorized users can search by details such as plate, vehicle description, time and location. Agency rules determine who has access, what purpose must be entered and whether information may be shared.
New Bedford Police FAQUse can be reviewed and data expires
Flock says searches are logged and its default retention period is 30 days. Local law, contracts and agency policy can set different rules, so each deployment should be evaluated on its own terms.
Flock Safety retention documentationWhat the LPR product records
Vehicle information—not a finding of guilt
Documented fields
Flock’s privacy documentation and municipal explainers describe a plate image, visible vehicle characteristics, time, and camera location. The vendor states that its LPR product does not use facial recognition.
An alert is a lead
A matching plate can notify an officer, but the observation does not establish who is driving, whether a list entry remains accurate, or whether a crime occurred. Officers still need to verify the information.
Local settings matter
Agencies control authorized users, search purposes, sharing rules, and retention within applicable contracts and law. A statement about one department should not be assumed to describe every deployment.
Sources to inspect
Read the documentation directly
- Flock Safety data-privacy documentation Vendor documentation; use with clear attribution.
- New Bedford Police Flock Safety FAQ Public-agency description of capture, retention, access, and auditing.
- PBS NewsHour benefits and privacy debate Independent reporting that includes supportive and critical perspectives.