Knee-jerk Flock panic threatens a tool that’s making our cities safer

NY Post ^ | 8/21/26 | Rich Lowry

[Libloather]

We have met the enemy — and it is watching us.

There’s a growing backlash against Flock cameras, the automated license plate readers that have become ubiquitous across the country.

The cameras take images of license plates and store them in a searchable database that police departments can query in the course of their investigations.

Opponents of the cameras consider them an instrument of Big Brother, who’s not only watching, but constantly recording and tracking.

Vandals have disabled and stolen the Flock cameras, and even shot them.

There’s a movement to get jurisdictions to cancel their contracts with Flock (the leading such company, but not the only one), and it’s met with some success.

Los Angeles just let its contract with Flock lapse, citing “serious concerns around civil liberties and civil rights issues.”

There’s a reason, though, that police departments so rapidly adopted the cameras — they are an extremely useful investigative tool.

It is certainly true that the technology, like any power we give the police, can be mis-used.

[House Atreides]

They definitely need to require a specific and VALID JUDICIAL WARRANT for ANYONE to access Flock databases
……………………………………………………………………………….
I don’t know... I haven’t given too much thought to the specifics of flock cameras, but...

There is no expectation of privacy in public places
****************************************************

True. But I would like to see ACCESS to the data RESTRICTED to official business and metadata kept on all searches that can reveal WHO searched, for WHAT they searched and WHEN each search was conducted. That would help minimize abuse of the data (e.g., ex-boyfriends tracking an ex-girlfriend, STALKERS tracking movements of a “target”) and have a searchable record of the stalking/abuse.

[Secret Agent Man]

The person authoring this piece is a monumental moron.

[jeffersondem]

“You can turn your cell phone off, remove its battery or leave it at home.”

Or, you could outright refuse to own a cell phone. Refuse to own a computer. Refuse to own a credit card. Refuse to own a vehicle with GPS and electric cameras. I guess the Amish do that; nothing wrong with that.

Most people use modern technology because they consider it in their best self-interest. But a lot of people don't want others to benefit from electric cameras because they figure their child is not going to get kidnapped - and they are not too concerned about anyone else’s child in society.

Was your post to this thread made with a computer?

[jeffersondem]

“Which cell phone companies make their data available thousands, perhaps millions of people, without even requiring them to ask?”

Others have said: “You can turn your cell phone off, remove its battery or leave it at home.”

So, critic answers critic.

[Political Junkie Too]

I agree with that, but not through the courts like with a warrant. That's why I suggested a senior officer in the PD precinct, like the captain. Then, if there is a violation it becomes an internal affairs investigation into both of them.

-PJ

[TigersEye]

I own those devices and have security on those devices and the choice of when and how to use them.

[TigersEye]

Yeah, but I refuse to shop at Walmart anymore.

[SaveFerris]

BUMP

[Pythion.net]

"Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety."

Benjamin Franklin

[SaveFerris]

AND eventually, those who Refused
to worship Satan's Antichrist by
taking the Mark of the Beast on
their Right Hand OR Forehead WILL be hunted down
and Martyred (Revelation 20:4)

But THAT doesn't happen until the
Middle of the 7 Years of 'Peace and Security'...

Meanwhile the Global Beast System
Government waits to be born...
The Fourth Beast Kingdom of Daniel 7:23

People Laugh, Mock and Scoff now...
But we're witnessing the basic structure
being deployed even today.





Revelation 20:4
King James Version

4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the Word of God, and which had not worshipped the Beast, neither his image, neither had received his Mark upon their Foreheads, or in their Hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a Thousand Years.

[LegendHasIt]

And Rich Lowrey seems to be working as the Mouth of Sauron.

[Varsity Flight]

Stargate

[PeterPrinciple]

safety is one datapoint. what it costs us is liberty

[jeffersondem]

“You don’t really believe that catching speeders the reason for Flock cameras, do you?”

It is happening; absolutely. Early reports say the camera signs at school crossing are influencing behavior, including reduced speeds.

But your question raises another question: Do you really believe Johannes Gutenberg invented movable type to print Bibles?

Many say the printing press was invented to promote dirty books and communist propaganda.

Regardless, it does seem unlikely we will be able to ban printing presses. Once the genie rides the horse out of the bottle it is too late to wish the barn doors were closed.

[jeffersondem]

“I own those devices and have security on those devices and the choice of when and how to use them.”

That is an interesting comment.

When you are using your cell phone what security measure do you use to prevent authorities from being able to know your approximate location?

When you use your credit card what security measure do you use to prevent authorities from learning who owns the card and the address of the card owner?

[The_Media_never_lie]

It is certainly true that the technology, like any power we give the police, can will be mis-used.

[Zuriel]

**When you are using your cell phone...
When you use your credit card...**

I have no problem leaving my cellphone home when I go somewhere for a few hours. Wife and I use mostly cash. Lowers the chance of the cards being hacked or spied on. We are behind the tech times in our stable. Our newest ride is an 07. I usually drive the 01, sometimes the 04, and occasionally the 90.

This flawk stuff being exposed for its ability to not only see, but pick up data is the encroachment on freedom, imo.

It made me think the other day of this song. It was a hit back in 71-72 (my senior year in HS). Matter of fact, before listening to it today, its probably been 50 years since I last listened to it. They need to update it, cuz thing are worse now....

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=-c0F2nw7ukk&pp=ygUacmFyZSBlYXJ0aCBoZXkgYmlnIGJyb3RoZXI%3D

[BOBWADE]

I’m surprised that folks haven’t tried ballot intitiatives to either ban data gathering or otherwise mandate warrants to conduct searches.

[MacNaughton]

Look what China did with the surveillance state and their social credit system. China used Google to help put their system together. Don’t think that Flock, Google and the AI centers are not doing the same thing here.

[algore]

I might say, well she is a celeb so paparazzi are expected and they are simply doing their job.

on the other hand I know that is not true. Any and all exposure regarding Taylor is carefully orchestrated. You are not controlled and yes be guilty of stalking, probably made an example of.

Is flock stalking you, not exactly but the potential is certainly there.

are Metropolis.io and Axon stalking you, not yet but the potential is there.

if someone decided to go on a fishing expedition for whatever reason or no reason should all your data be easily searchable I don’t know.

I worked for a guy named Jess Schwartz back in the 80s and later helped review what could become Fico.

That is when I started understanding databases.

in the mid 90s my boss worked for Jeff Grey and some of my team mates were DEC alumni.

I am not a legal anything, but I do try to understand it. hopefully soon there will be some kind of supreme court ruling on 4th amendment mosaic theory.