Flock cameras spread through government deals that bypassed public scrutiny

Flock Safety’s license plate-reading cameras have expanded rapidly across U.S. streets in less than a decade, often without public discussion or elected approval. A review of local government contracts and public records shows police departments and other officials bought the cameras through procurement maneuvers that avoided ordinary oversight: many deals were awarded without competitive bids, and dozens were structured at price points just below thresholds that would have required council votes or formal approvals. As a result, residents and local representatives in numerous communities never had a direct say about installing persistent automated license-plate surveillance in public spaces.

The findings document a pattern of using procurement rules and small-scale contracts to deploy pervasive surveillance technology, not isolated procurement errors. The spread includes installation at busy intersections and other locations where plate readers capture broad vehicle movements. That procurement pathway has enabled a fast, widespread roll‑out while sidestepping transparency, competitive procurement safeguards and public debate, raising questions about accountability, civil‑liberties protections, and how communities should govern the adoption of intrusive surveillance tools.