Flock Cameras in Local Areas
They're showing up on roads across the country, recording license plate numbers as cars drive by. Flock cameras are a new tool for fighting crime but are also fueling debates about privacy and surveillance.
Flock cameras use AI, motion sensors, and internet connectivity to capture vehicle data, such as plate numbers, the vehicle model, make, color, and can even distinguish dents and bumper stickers.
Flock cameras can be very helpful when used in proper contexts, like identifying and locating stolen vehicles, track suspects, and help assist in missing person cases. They record still images and generate alerts when license plates match hotlists. The Flock Safety website states that their cameras help solve an estimated 700,000 crimes per year, about 10% of all reported U.S. crime according to Flock's 2024-2026 impact reports.
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The main debate around this method of surveillance is privacy. There's been recent concerns about data oversharing and oversight issues, with local officials questioning who can access Flock data, how long it's stored for, and whether federal agencies (such as ICE) can indirectly use it.
There's also a potential for misuse as there's been reports of police officers using Flock databases to track ex-partners, unauthorized searches, and wrongful stops due to accuracy issues and errors. Dean Freshman Campbell Robinson noted, "I understand the thought process behind it, but I just think it's dangerous. There are crazy people out there and if the wrong person gets their hands on them [Flock cameras] it would be really bad."
New Bedford, MA is only 50 minutes from Franklin, and installed 20 Flock cameras citywide as of June 2026, which are being used for crime investigations such as shootings, vandalism, missing person cases, and stolen vehicles. However, as of August 2026, NBPD suspended the use of Flock systems due to an officer using them to track an ex-girlfriend. The suspension does not confirm permanent removal, but it reflects a policy change pending further review. Could Franklin be the next city to begin installing Flock cameras?
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