At Flock, we’re committed to pushing the boundaries of innovation to help law enforcement solve crimes faster and more efficiently. Our nationwide License Plate Recognition (LPR) network has already proven to be a game-changer, assisting in major cases across the country, from achieving 100% homicide solve rates in Tulsa, OK, and Cobb County, GA, to helping dismantle a human trafficking ring in Detroit, MI. 

Now, the future of LPR has come to life with a suite of advanced AI-powered tools designed to supercharge investigative efforts.

Introducing FreeForm: A Smarter Way to Search

One of the biggest challenges in investigations is translating human observations to usable data. With FreeForm Search, an enhancement to our Vehicle Fingerprint™ software, we’re making it easier than ever for investigators to track down vehicles of interest using plain language descriptions.

Instead of manually sifting through hundreds — if not thousands — of images, officers can now search for vehicles with unique characteristics, such as “blue SUV with a racing stripe” or “white F-150 with a ladder in the back.” This intuitive search capability allows law enforcement to find critical vehicular evidence faster, streamlining the investigative process and improving response times.

We understand the importance of responsible AI use, which is why we’ve implemented a content moderation policy for FreeForm. This ensures that searches remain focused on objective criteria, reinforcing our commitment to protecting civil liberties while empowering law enforcement with effective tools.

New AI-Powered Features to Uncover Key Insights

Beyond FreeForm, we’re introducing additional AI-driven investigative features that enhance how agencies analyze vehicular evidence. These tools are designed to counteract emerging criminal tactics and provide deeper insights into crime patterns:

• Plate Swap Insights: Criminals frequently engage in plate swapping, attaching stolen plates to different vehicles to evade detection. Our system now identifies when the same license plate has been spotted on multiple vehicles over the past 30 days, making it easier to detect and thwart these deceptive tactics.
• Multi-State Insights: Many large-scale criminal activities—such as human and narcotics trafficking and Organized Retail Crime (ORC)—involve movement across state lines. With our new Multi-State Insights feature, law enforcement is alerted when suspect vehicles have been detected in multiple states, helping investigators uncover networks and trends linked to major crime organizations.
• Hotlist Hotspot Insights: Agencies with limited resources need to be strategic about where they deploy personnel. This tool pinpoints high-frequency LPR hotlist hits, providing a data-driven approach to optimizing patrol coverage and resource allocation—ensuring officers are in the right place at the right time.

Transforming Investigations with Cutting-Edge Technology

With these new AI-powered capabilities, Flock is revolutionizing the way law enforcement conducts investigations. By making searches more intuitive, exposing hidden criminal patterns, and providing agencies with actionable insights, we’re empowering law enforcement to work smarter, not harder.

The FreeForm Early Access program is now open for applications, and the additional investigative features will be available starting March 1 as part of Flock’s Enhanced LPR package. We’re excited to see how these innovations continue to make communities safer, one breakthrough at a time.

Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to push the boundaries of investigative technology!