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What Is Flock?
Technology Built to Support Safer Communities
Flock is a public safety technology company that builds connected camera, audio, and investigative systems to help communities respond to and investigate safety incidents using objective evidence.
Flock technology combines video, gunshot detection, and investigative software to help law enforcement, schools, and businesses locate vehicles, understand incidents, and collaborate across jurisdictions while maintaining clear privacy safeguards, local control, and responsible data use.
Learn how Flock technology is used, how the system works, and the safeguards that govern data access and privacy.
What Are Flock Cameras Used For?
Flock cameras provide vehicle-related information to assist communities and organizations in responding more effectively to safety incidents.
Most crimes, including theft, burglary, assault, and missing person cases, involve vehicles. Flock cameras provide objective vehicle information, allowing investigators and security teams to focus on strong leads. This eliminates the need to sort through hours of footage or rely on incomplete witness descriptions.
Recover Stolen Vehicles Faster
When a stolen vehicle is detected by a Flock camera, authorized users can be notified immediately, helping accelerate recoveries and reduce the time and resources typically required to search.
Strengthen Active and Past Investigations
Agencies search for vehicles using license plates or identifiable characteristics like color and type, helping investigators narrow leads and establish timelines more efficiently.
Deter Recurring Neighborhood Crime
Residential communities and homeowner associations can use Flock to discourage repeat incidents and, when appropriate, share relevant vehicle information with local law enforcement.
Improve Safety Around Critical Spaces
Schools, healthcare facilities, and businesses use Flock to better understand vehicle movement near entrances and exits during safety-related events.
What Are Flock Cameras?
Flock license plate readers are motion-activated cameras paired with cloud-based software built specifically for public safety and security.
Unlike traditional security cameras that record continuous video, Flock cameras focus on capturing specific vehicle information as vehicles pass through a defined location. This includes:
License plate number
Vehicle make, model, color, and body type
Date, time, and general location of detection
Flock cameras are placed at common vehicle access points such as neighborhood entrances and parking lot exits, keeping data collection limited to information relevant to public safety.
Flock cameras are used by:
Businesses and Property Managers
Cities, Towns, & Counties
Neighborhoods and Homeowners Associations
Public Safety Agencies
Schools and College Campuses
How Do Flock Cameras Work?
Flock cameras capture vehicle information as they pass. This information is then stored securely, allowing authorized users to search the data or receive alerts concerning safety incidents.
Vehicle Capture
Flock cameras are designed to capture an image focused solely on the vehicle when it passes by, deliberately avoiding the capture of unnecessary personal details about people.
License Plate Recognition
Flock uses advanced computer vision and License Plate Recognition (LPR) technology to analyze images from its cameras. The system identifies key vehicle characteristics (make, model, color, body type) and accurately reads the license plate, converting the visual data into searchable digital text. Together, these features create comprehensive records that serve as a powerful tool for law enforcement and community safety.
Secure Cloud Storage
The information is encrypted and securely stored in Flock’s cloud platform. Only authorized users with proper permissions can access it.
Alerts and Searches
Authorized users can search for vehicles using license plate numbers or vehicle attributes. They can also receive alerts when a specific vehicle of interest is detected, such as a stolen vehicle.
Automatic Data Deletion
Data about vehicles is deleted automatically after a client-specified retention period, unless the data is required for an ongoing investigation.
How Flock Protects Privacy and Controls Data
Does Flock use facial recognition?
No. Flock does not use facial recognition technology.
Flock’s ALPR solution focuses solely on vehicles and license plates, not people. It does not identify individuals, analyze faces, or utilize any form of biometric data.
Is Flock surveillance?
Flock is not mass surveillance. It is a purpose-built tool focused on vehicle information related to safety incidents.
Flock cameras are placed in specific locations and used in response to defined safety needs. They are not designed to monitor people’s daily activities or create permanent records of lawful behavior.
The goal is to help communities respond to incidents more effectively while maintaining clear boundaries around how data is used.
Who can access Flock camera data?
Only authorized users with approved access can view or search Flock camera data.
Access is controlled through:
- Role-based permissions
- User authentication
- Detailed audit logs
Clients decide who can access their system and what level of access each user has. For example:
- A neighborhood may allow access only to a small board-approved group.
- A business may limit access to its security team.
- Law enforcement agencies must follow departmental policies and applicable laws.
All access is logged to promote accountability and responsible use.
How does Flock protect data and privacy?
Unlike traditional security cameras that record continuous video, Flock ALPR cameras focus on capturing specific vehicle information as vehicles pass through a defined location.
This includes:
- License plate number
- Vehicle make, model, color, and body type
- Date, time, and general location of detection
This information is then stored securely, allowing authorized users to search the data or receive alerts concerning safety incidents.
Why Communities Choose Flock
Flock is used by thousands of communities across the country as part of broader safety strategies to:
Help solve crime more quickly
Support faster stolen vehicle recovery
Reduce time spent reviewing traditional video footage
Provide clear controls for data access and retention
Emphasize transparency and responsible use
Learn How Flock Works, How It's Governed, and How It's Used
Flock is dedicated to earning trust and respecting privacy while helping communities enhance safety. We support effective investigations without overreach by prioritizing vehicle information, establishing clear policies, and ensuring client accountability.
