FLOCK Camera FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions: Flock Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) Cameras

What is the purpose of KDPS using Flock ALPR cameras?

KDPS uses Flock ALPR cameras to support criminal investigations and enhance community safety. The use of these cameras is designed to recognize and respect established public privacy rights while assisting officers in responding to and preventing crime.

Are license plates considered private information?

No. Vehicle owners are legally required to register their vehicles and display license plates in public. Flock ALPR cameras only capture images of license plates and vehicles in areas that are open and visible to the general public.

What information is collected by the LPR system?

The Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) system collects:

  • Digital images of vehicles and license plates
  • The date and time of the observation
  • The general location where the image was captured

ALPR data itself is anonymous and is not considered personally identifiable information.

Can officers identify a vehicle owner using ALPR data?

No. Officers cannot identify a vehicle owner using ALPR data alone. Registered owner information can only be accessed through a separate, secure, state-controlled database (LEIN). Access to motor vehicle records is governed by the federal Driver’s Privacy Protection Act (DPPA).

How is ALPR data used?

Authorized uses of ALPR data include:

  • Supporting crime analysis and criminal investigations
  • Locating stolen vehicles
  • Assisting in child abduction cases and investigations involving missing or endangered persons
  • Alerting officers to vehicles associated with an active investigation where articulable suspicion exists (such as shots fired incidents or home invasion investigations)

What uses of ALPR data are prohibited?

ALPR data may not be used for:

  • Enforcement of immigration laws
  • Investigations involving individuals seeking reproductive or other health services

System controls and search filters are in place to prevent prohibited uses.

Who controls the ALPR data?

KDPS retains 100% control of its ALPR data. Data is:

  • Shared only with approved law enforcement partners in Southwest Michigan
  • Not shared on a nationwide search platform
  • Not shared with ICE or other federal agencies

Any other request for data access must be individually reviewed and approved by KDPS command staff.

Does the vendor sell or share ALPR data?

No. The vendor does not sell ALPR data to third parties.

How long is ALPR data retained?

  • All images are retained for 30 days and are automatically deleted by the Flock system
  • All system searches are permanently logged and retained
  • Data access is audited to ensure accountability and compliance

How does KDPS ensure transparency and accountability?

  • All searches are logged and auditable
  • Search filters prevent unauthorized or prohibited uses
  • Regular audits are conducted to ensure compliance with policy and law

Has Flock Safety ever been hacked?

No. Flock Safety’s systems, servers, and customer data have never been hacked. A video circulated online showed a camera being physically dismantled; however, this did not provide access to any systems or customer data and only exposed factory hardware settings.

Can tampering with a camera give someone access to data?

No. Physically accessing or altering a Flock camera cannot provide access to stored data or backend systems. Cameras do not have public IP addresses and cannot be remotely accessed. All data is encrypted both in transit and at rest using industry-standard security measures and stored in secure government cloud environments.

Examples of the Benefits of FLOCK Cameras in Reducing Crime

  • Homicide Investigations: Of the last eight homicides solved by KDPS, License Plate Reader (LPR) data was instrumental in every case. Since 2021, LPRs have played a critical role in solving 23 homicide investigations. Overall, murders are down 53% compared to five years ago, prior to the implementation of FLOCK.
  • Gun Violence Reduction: LPR data is reviewed following virtually every shots-fired and non-fatal shooting incident. Since implementation, assaults with firearms are down 49%, and overall reports of shots fired have decreased 57% compared to five years ago.
  • Child Abduction Recovery: In 2021, a vehicle was stolen from a convenience store with two children inside (ages 18 months and 5 years). Using LPR data, officers located the vehicle in under two hours, and both children were safely recovered.
  • Property Crime and Theft: Following a series of storage unit burglaries involving over $100,000 in stolen property, LPR data identified the suspect vehicle, leading to arrests and recovery of a significant portion of the stolen items. Overall property crime is down 39% compared to five years ago.
  • Human Trafficking Investigations: LPRs have been used multiple times to identify and apprehend individuals involved in the sex trafficking of women and children.
  • Auto Theft Reduction: FLOCK cameras have significantly improved the recovery of stolen vehicles and identification of suspects. Motor vehicle theft is down 35% compared to five years ago, prior to LPR implementation.
  • Drug Overdose Investigations: In April 2023, officers responded to 18 overdoses resulting in seven deaths. FLOCK data was instrumental in identifying the individual responsible for distributing the drugs, leading to multiple convictions for overdose-related deaths.
  • Kidnapping Response: In July 2023, a suspect assaulted residents and kidnapped an infant belonging to his ex-girlfriend. A FLOCK camera captured the suspect’s vehicle leaving the city. Within 25 minutes, the vehicle was stopped and the child was safely returned to the mother.
  • Mobile Nuisance Parties: FLOCK cameras have become a critical tool in addressing long-standing issues with Mobile Nuisance Parties, using LPR data to identify and track vehicles involved in repeated violations.

 

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