Flock cameras are cameras installed to monitor certain areas and read vehicle license plates.
The use of Flock cameras has become a pretty hot topic in many parts of the United States lately. A lot of people feel uncomfortable because they feel like they’re constantly being watched whenever they step outside their homes. On top of that, there are growing concerns about privacy and how their personal data is being protected. Flock cameras collect data that can be shared with various partner organizations, including law enforcement, police departments, government agencies, and other community organizations.
More than 120,000 Flock cameras have been installed across the United States.
How to View the Location of an Installed FLock Camera?
As opposition to Flock cameras continues to grow, more people want to know exactly where these cameras are installed.
One local mapping service has tried to map out the locations of Flock cameras and make them visible to the public. One of these services is MapQuest, one of the oldest pioneers in digital mapping and online navigation, which first launched back in February 1996. However, its mapping system doesn’t yet use smartphones for tracking.
How to Find Flock Cameras Using MapQuest:
- Open MapQuest App
- Tap the “Layers” icon in the bottom-right corner of the map
- Toggle on “Surveillance”
- Look for the eye icons to find nearby surveillance cameras
Another way to find out where Flock cameras are installed is by using an app called FlockHopper, developed by OpenRoad Labs LLC. The app lets users view a map showing the locations of Flock cameras. It also sends notifications when you’re getting close to one.
Platforms like DeFlock can also help you find out where Flock cameras are installed.
- Open DeFlock
- Then click “Launch the Map.”
DeFlock shows camera locations as blue dots on the map. You can click on these dots to get more information about each camera.
Note: Make sure you’re using a web browser that supports WebGL. When I tried to locate Flock cameras on an older browser, I got this error message: “Couldn’t Load Map. WebGL is required to display the interactive map. Please enable hardware acceleration in your browser settings, then reload the page.”
WebGL (Web Graphics Library) is a JavaScript-based API that allows web browsers to render high-performance, interactive 2D and 3D graphics directly in the browser without the need for additional plugins.
Understanding How Flock Cameras Installed on the Streets Work
Flock cameras, developed by Flock Safety, are surveillance systems that use Automated License Plate Recognition (ALPR) and artificial intelligence (machine learning) to continuously track vehicles on public roads and at entrances to specific areas.
No matter who you are, your license plate gets recorded whenever you drive past a Flock camera.
The vehicle data captured by these cameras is sent in real time and cross-checked against law enforcement databases, such as police watchlists, wanted vehicle records, and criminal databases.
The system Flock Cameras is used to detect:
- Stolen vehicles
- Vehicles linked to criminal activity or wanted suspects
- Vehicles involved in Amber Alerts or searches for missing people, including missing children
Can I Prevent Flock Cameras From Recording My License Plate Number?
It’s almost impossible to avoid being captured by Flock cameras.
Flock cameras are installed along roads you drive on every day, so avoiding them can be pretty much impossible. You might think about covering your license plate to avoid being tracked, but that could get you into trouble. The system may detect that your plate is covered and send an alert to law enforcement.
One way to avoid Flock cameras is to know where they’re located.
However, this doesn’t always work. Even if you know where Flock cameras are installed, sometimes the only way to reach your destination is by taking a road with one of these cameras. In that case, your license plate will still be captured by the camera.
Final Thoughts
It’s really hard for people to push back against the installation of Flock cameras.
These companies often work directly with local governments, police departments, and law enforcement agencies. So, when you speak out against their technology, you might end up dealing with the police or even be seen as a potential threat. For example, the city of Lynnwood, Washington, chose to end its partnership with Flock, while opposition to the technology has become part of the political debate in Asheville, North Carolina.
And that’s pretty much everything you need to know about Flock cameras and how to find out where they’re installed. Hopefully, this article helps you better understand the technology and its impact.