Does my city use Flock cameras?

Check the map, then the EFF Atlas of Surveillance, then your police department's Flock transparency portal and city council records. If you still don't know, file a public-records request. A copy-and-paste template is below.

Updated November 5, 2026 · Sources linked below

1. Look at the map

Open cameras near me or your city's camera map. A cluster of red dots tagged Flock Safety is a strong hint, though cameras on a store lot or HOA entrance may be private. City pages show how many readers mappers tagged as public versus private.

2. Search the EFF Atlas of Surveillance

EFF's Atlas of Surveillance lists surveillance technologies, ALPRs included, by agency, compiled from news reports and public records. Search your city or county.

3. Find a Flock transparency portal

Flock offers agencies public "LPR Transparency Portals" that can show retention periods, sharing lists and search statistics (Caldwell FAQ). Search the web for "[your police department] Flock transparency portal".

4. Check city council and county records

ALPR purchases usually go through a council or commission vote. Search your city's agenda and minutes portal for "Flock", "ALPR" or "license plate". Contracts and staff reports often list how many cameras and how much they cost. Some states also require agencies to publish their ALPR policy (NCSL).

5. File a public-records request

You can usually get contracts, policies, sharing lists and audit reports, even where the plate data itself is exempt. At least 12 states exempt ALPR data from public records, and Kansas lets agencies withhold camera locations (NCSL). Send this to the police department's records custodian:

To the Records Custodian, [Agency name]:

Under [state public records law, e.g. the Colorado Open Records Act / your state's equivalent], I request copies of the following records about automated license plate readers (ALPRs), including Flock Safety systems:

1. Current contracts, order forms and renewals with any ALPR vendor.
2. The agency's ALPR use policy and data retention policy.
3. The list of outside agencies or organizations that can access the agency's ALPR data, and any data-sharing agreements.
4. The number and general locations of fixed ALPR cameras, if releasable.
5. Any audits, annual reports or transparency-portal statistics on ALPR searches and hits for [time period].

If any part is withheld, please cite the exemption and release the rest. I prefer electronic copies. Please tell me in advance if fees will exceed $[amount].

Thank you,
[Name, email]

This is a general template, not legal advice. Deadlines and fees vary by state.

Then what?

Share what you get with local reporters and neighbors, comment when the contract comes up for renewal, and add any cameras you spot through DeFlock so they appear here at the next data refresh.