POLISCOPE
Back to feed
NewsWFLA News Channel 8September 6, 2026Hillsborough

Multiple companies operate automated license plate readers in local communities beyond Flock Safety

While Flock Safety is the most prominent provider of automated license plate readers (ALPRs), other companies including Motorola Solutions, Genetec, Axon, Axis Communications, and Neology also operate surveillance equipment in communities across the U.S. These devices collect data on passing traffic, including license plates and vehicle details, which is then stored in searchable databases used by law enforcement.

surveillanceprivacylaw enforcementtechnologydata collection
Read the full story at WFLA News Channel 8

Why It Matters

Residents may be subject to surveillance by various private companies with differing data storage and sharing policies, regardless of whether their local government uses Flock Safety or a competitor.

Key Facts

  • Flock Safety partners with over 5,000 law enforcement agencies across 6,000 communities.
  • DeFlock has mapped approximately 138,000 ALPR cameras across the continental U.S.
  • Flock Safety accounts for approximately 82% of mapped ALPR cameras.
  • Motorola Solutions accounts for 5% of mapped ALPR cameras.
  • Genetec accounts for 2% of mapped ALPR cameras.
  • Other manufacturers include Axon, Axis Communications, and Neology.
  • ALPRs collect data beyond license plates, including vehicle details like bumper stickers.
  • Data collected by ALPRs is stored in searchable databases.
  • Flock and Motorola have nationwide law enforcement data sharing, whereas Axon does not.
  • DeFlock map data is crowd-sourced by volunteers and the OpenStreetMap community.

Who's Mentioned

other6,000“Number of communities partnering with Flock Safety.”other5,000“Number of law enforcement agencies partnering with Flock Safety.”organizationFlock Safety“Primary manufacturer of ALPRs with 5,000 agency partners and 6,000 communities.”organizationMotorola Solutions“Manufacturer of 5% of mapped ALPRs.”organizationDeFlock“Organization maintaining a crowd-sourced map of ALPR locations.”organizationGenetec“Manufacturer of 2% of mapped ALPRs.”personJay Stanley“Senior policy analyst with the ACLU.”organizationAxon“ALPR manufacturer; does not share data nationwide like Flock or Motorola.”