Automated License Plate Readers (ALPRs) are becoming increasingly common tools for documenting vehicle movement in communities across the country.
ALPRs are camera systems that photograph passing vehicles, capture license plate numbers and record the time and location of each sighting. This technology has existed for decades and is used by many different vendors.
Flock Safety is one of those vendors. Their cameras are a newer, cloud‑based version of ALPR technology, introduced in 2017 and designed to be solar‑powered, networked and centrally managed through their FlockOS platform.
ALPR systems generally fall into three types: fixed cameras mounted in permanent locations, mobile units attached to vehicles, and portable trailer‑based units that can be moved as needed.
Controversy became widespread when technical defects and misuse of the cameras became so prevalent. According to recent media accounts, just this year, a driver in California had been repeatedly stopped by police due to Flock misidentifying a character on his plates. A police officer in Texas surrendered his law enforcement license after being found guilty of tracking and stalking a female by using the Flock system.
These are just a few examples of how Flock cameras have been misused and are now under public scrutiny.
In recent weeks, after public outcry, both the Henry County Sheriff’s Office and the Galva Police Department have announced they will discontinue using the camera systems. In Kewanee, the debate is ongoing as just this week, the mayor spoke out in favor of continuing the contract. Many residents, however, have been outspoken in their opposition to FLOCK, seeing the surveillance system as a violation of their privacy.
As these systems expand into neighborhoods and public spaces, we’re gathering resident input on their use and impact.
*** This survey is intended to gather general community feedback and does not represent a scientific or statistically representative study. Responses are voluntary and may not reflect the views of all Kewanee residents. The results will be used only to help inform future discussions and are not meant to predict community consensus or official city positions.
