Frequently asked questions

An automated license plate reader (ALPR) photographs every passing vehicle, extracts the plate number plus attributes like make, color, and distinguishing features, and logs the time and location. Flock Safety is the largest US vendor of fixed-pole ALPRs; Motorola/Vigilant, Genetec, Axon, and ELSAG are also common. Records typically flow into searchable databases shared across agencies.

Generally yes today, but the law is actively evolving and varies by state. Some states (e.g., Virginia, Washington in 2025–2026) enacted restrictions on retention and data sharing; a Fourth Amendment challenge to citywide ALPR networks (Schmidt v. Norfolk) is on appeal in the Fourth Circuit as of our last research pass (Aug 2026). Nothing here is legal advice — check current law in your state.

It depends on the agency contract and state law — historically 30 days was a common Flock default; in August 2026 Flock announced a 7-day default going forward, and some states mandate shorter or longer windows. The agency’s own ALPR policy (often public under state law) is the authoritative source; ours is a documentation platform, not the operator.

No — and any map that claims completeness should be questioned. We show cameras documented by OpenStreetMap contributors and our moderated community reports, with a confidence tier and full provenance on every record. Absence of a marker never means absence of cameras.

Sometimes. Some agencies publish transparency portals, and audit logs have been obtained via public records requests. The independent project “Have I Been Flocked?” aggregates FOIA’d audit logs — we link out rather than duplicate their work.

Plenty: file public records requests for policies, contracts, and audit logs; attend and speak at council or commission meetings, especially before contract renewals; contact elected officials; support or oppose state legislation; and document cameras from public property for maps like this one. We never support tampering, obstruction, trespass, or harassment — those are crimes and they undermine the transparency case.

Photographing and documenting objects visible from public property is First Amendment-protected activity in the US. Stay on public property, never touch equipment, and don’t confront anyone.

We are an independent public-interest transparency platform — not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to Flock Safety, Inc. in any way. Camera data builds on OpenStreetMap (ODbL); agency records on the EFF Atlas of Surveillance (CC BY 4.0).