Cities Begin Push to Remove Flock License Plate Cameras

WHO:

Pew Research - Flock Safety is identified as the company behind Flock cameras.

Vox Tech - Flock Safety is described as the leading company behind automated license plate cameras.

Engadget - The article discusses Flock and similar camera systems.

WHAT:

Gothamist - New York lawmakers are weighing measures to restrict Flock and other automatic license-plate readers.

Pew Research - There are more than 100,000 Flock cameras in the United States.

Vox Tech - Two cities voted to remove Flock cameras.

Vox Tech - Some cities have paused, declined to renew, or canceled contracts with Flock Safety.

Engadget - Flock and similar cameras can track people as they drive.

Engadget - The article says cameras mounted above traffic lights serve a purpose that is little known to many people.

WHERE:

Gothamist - A Flock Safety camera is shown at the corner of River Street and Congress Street in Troy, New York.

Pew Research - Flock cameras are located across the United States.

Vox Tech - The backlash and city actions are described as occurring across the country.

Engadget - The article refers to cameras mounted above traffic lights; it does not specify locations.

WHY:

Vox Tech - Public concern about privacy, surveillance, and law-enforcement misuse of the technology has fueled nationwide backlash.

Engadget - The article says many people object to cameras that can track drivers.

HOW:

Gothamist - Civil liberties groups in New York are pushing for a 48-hour limit on police retention of Flock camera data.

Pew Research - The article examines camera locations and how agencies use them, but the provided text gives no specific locations or usage details.

Vox Tech - Cities have responded by pausing, not renewing, or canceling contracts with Flock Safety.

Vox Tech - Flock cameras are described as AI-enabled automated license plate cameras.

(UPDATED November 9, 2026 21:08 UTC)

Privacy concerns over surveillance and police misuse are fueling a nationwide backlash against Flock cameras. Cities are pausing contracts or removing the systems, which can track drivers. New York lawmakers are weighing restrictions, while civil liberties groups seek limits on police data retention.

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(UPDATED November 9, 2026 20:03 UTC)

Flock Safety operates more than 100,000 cameras nationwide, tracking drivers. Privacy concerns and fears of law-enforcement misuse have fueled backlash. Two cities voted to remove the cameras; others paused or canceled contracts.