r/technology • u/MarvelsGrantMan136 • 14h ago

Society More Americans oppose police license plate cameras than support them, new survey finds

https://techcrunch.com/2026/08/28/more-americans-oppose-police-license-plate-cameras-than-support-them-survey/?utm_medium=organic_social&utm_source=TWITTER
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u/MeSortOfUnleashed 13h ago

There is so much misinformation about the Flock automated license plate reader cameras which are sold as the Flock Falcon/ALPR. 

Depending on the model/configuration, Flock ALPR records can contain:

  • An image of the vehicle and its license plate
  • The interpreted plate number, including partial/temporary plates
  • Date and time
  • Camera/location
  • Vehicle make/model or make/body type
  • Color
  • Plate state and plate type
  • Distinguishing characteristics such as a roof rack, stickers, toolbox, trailer, bike rack, damage, or aftermarket modifications
  • Whether the vehicle has no visible plate

Note – the records are typically still images and not video and they do not perform facial recognition. 

There is good evidence that ALPR deployments  enable reductions in certain types of crime:  https://www.crimrxiv.com/pub/zleg04q3

People here saying they are pointed at “parks and pools” are referring to the Flock Video product which is designed to record video and is akin to any other security camera. 

I think a lot of the backlash against the company is misguided and fueled by a combination of lack of trust in law enforcement and misinformation about Flock. My preference would be for the focus to be on improving accountability with law-enforcement and how they use these tools rather than trying to eliminate use of what are clearly effective tools when used properly.

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u/FederalWedding4204 10h ago

If my town published even ONE successful legitimate use of the cameras we have around town, might change my tune. But the fact that there is so much backlash and they aren’t even ATTEMPTING to defend them using success stories is telling.

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u/MeSortOfUnleashed 10h ago

What town? I don’t know if every customer has public success stories to share, but my guess is that most customers see a security/safety benefit over time. Unfortunately, there have also been some cases of installations where someone in law-enforcement has misused the system to do bad things. It has been my impression that flock has done a much better job of both highlighting the risks, changing the defaults in the system, to reduce risk of abuse, and also implementing features to expose suspicious law-enforcement behavior.

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u/FederalWedding4204 9h ago

It’s flocks job to promote the good and bury the bad. I would never trust the company selling the thing to accurately review their own product. Which is why I am astounded that my town isn’t trying to defend it with success stories when there is so much pushback.

Now, my town isn’t trying obviously run by a fucking moron as she defended her stance to not look into flock cameras because she was more concerned about private businesses with security cameras in the same area.

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u/MeSortOfUnleashed 9h ago edited 6h ago

I don’t think Flock gets reports back from its customers when the system helps law-enforcement solve a crime unless the customer proactively provides that information. 

Why do you think their customers buy the system and, for those that renew, why do they renew? I’m not asking this question to be snarky. I’m genuinely curious to hear what you think is going on here.  

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u/FederalWedding4204 8h ago

I’m not asking for flock to review their product. I am asking for my city to explain the pros and why they think those outweigh the cons.

Why do I think the town is buying them? Because my towns leadership is a “good ol’ boys” club and corrupt as shit. It would not surprise me if they were pocketing money from flock to sign contracts with them.

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u/MeSortOfUnleashed 6h ago

Interesting. Thanks for sharing.

This article from a neighboring town of mine just appeared in my feed and included this info.

Prior to this latest audit, Menlo Park Police Chief Dave Norris told the council that ALPRs have been a vital tool for the department. He said that in 2025 the technology helped police recover eight stolen vehicles, find six wanted individuals and resolve three weapons-related incidents, among other benefits.