Cities terminate Flock Safety contracts at record pace as surveillance concerns mount

Secure Justice, an Oakland-based advocacy organization, has recorded 214 cities and counties that have ended their relationship with Flock Safety since 2021. Of those, 90 occurred in August 2026 alone, marking a sharp escalation in the pace of cancellations.

Communities from Lansing, Michigan, to Pflugerville, Texas, have opted out of the surveillance camera network, citing concerns over intrusive monitoring, unwanted data sharing, high costs, and reports of police officers abusing the system. The growing backlash follows a series of investigative reports into the technology's use and misuse.

Flock Safety's network of automated license plate readers has been widely adopted by local law enforcement agencies in recent years, marketed as a tool to solve crimes such as stolen vehicles and hit-and-runs. However, critics argue that the system enables mass surveillance and has been used by officers for personal reasons — a problem experts have called the "stalker cop" phenomenon.

The data from Secure Justice does not specify whether the cancellations represent the complete removal of all Flock cameras in a given jurisdiction or the non-renewal of individual contracts. The group's tracker is updated as new information becomes available.

Why This Matters

The rapid pace of contract terminations signals a shift in public sentiment toward automated surveillance technology, potentially affecting how police departments operate.
Taxpayer dollars are at stake: Flock contracts can cost tens of thousands of dollars annually per city, and cancellations may free up funds for other priorities.
The trend could pressure Flock Safety to change its business practices or face further erosion of its network's value, as shared camera data loses usefulness when fewer jurisdictions participate.

Background

Flock Safety is a private company that sells automated license plate recognition cameras to law enforcement agencies, homeowner associations, and businesses. Its cameras capture images of every passing vehicle and can share data across jurisdictions through a central network. The technology has been praised by some police departments for aiding investigations but has drawn increasing scrutiny from civil liberties groups concerned about privacy, data retention, and the potential for abuse.

Key Perspectives

Cities and counties: Many local governments are terminating contracts due to privacy concerns, budget pressures, and reports of police misuse. They argue that the costs outweigh the benefits, especially when alternative crime-fighting tools exist. Flock Safety: The company has maintained that its system is designed to reduce crime and that it provides safeguards against misuse, including audit trails and training requirements. It has not publicly commented on the latest wave of cancellations. Critics and privacy advocates: Secure Justice and other groups see the cancellations as a victory for community oversight. They argue that Flock's technology enables a surveillance infrastructure that is prone to abuse and lacks sufficient transparency.

What to Watch

Whether the pace of cancellations continues to accelerate in September and beyond, as more city councils vote on renewals.
Flock Safety's response — the company may introduce new privacy features or adjust its pricing model to retain customers.
Potential state-level legislation regulating automated license plate readers, which could either slow or accelerate the trend depending on the rules adopted.

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