Hawley Investigates Flock Safety as 50 U.S. Localities Drop License-Plate Cameras
Updated
Updated · abcnews.com · Sep 1
Hawley Investigates Flock Safety as 50 U.S. Localities Drop License-Plate Cameras
3 articles · Updated · abcnews.com · Sep 1
Summary
Sen. Josh Hawley on Friday opened an investigation into Flock Safety, demanding internal documents as privacy concerns over automated license-plate readers spread nationwide.
More than 50 cities and counties have canceled or deactivated ALPR cameras this year, and Florida on Monday barred local police from placing the readers on state highways.
At least 36 states have seen vandalism targeting Flock cameras, while alleged misuse by police has sharpened the backlash; a Kentucky officer was accused of tracking his ex-girlfriend more than 2,000 times.
Flock says its cameras operate in 49 states and support public safety, citing more than 10,000 missing people located last year and roughly 1 million investigations aided in 2025.
The fight has drawn bipartisan political action, with Texas Gov. Greg Abbott pausing state funding and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro backing a possible statewide ban.