Tracking explained
What is a Flock camera?
What Flock license plate readers record, how sightings differ from continuous tracking, and where to check local policy.
Guide reviewed .
A camera that turns a vehicle sighting into a searchable record
A Flock license plate reader captures a vehicle image and extracts information such as a plate number and visible vehicle characteristics. The record also has a time and camera location. Flock's published LPR policy lists these data fields. A camera can create a record of an ordinary passing vehicle, even when it produces no wanted-vehicle alert. Source.
A sighting is different from a continuous route
Flock says its plate reader product creates still-image sightings at particular times and places. Its description says the LPR cameras do not identify drivers or use facial recognition. That product description does not describe every other surveillance product an agency may operate. Several sightings can still reveal where a vehicle appeared over time. Source.
The local rules matter
A vendor description is only one part of the picture. Look for an agency's access policy, retention schedule, sharing agreements and audits. Camera locations and policy records answer different questions: a map shows documented hardware locations; a policy describes how the resulting information may be used.
Questions and answers
Is every camera on this map made by Flock?
No. Flock-tagged source points and other or unknown-vendor plate readers are separate categories. Read the individual source record.
Does this site show anyone's plate history?
No. The public map displays documented camera locations, not police vehicle sightings or personal travel records.
Sources
- Flock LPR usage and privacy policy; source dated 2026-06-30. Checked 2026-10-23.
- Flock's description of its LPR cameras; source dated 2026-10-19. Checked 2026-10-23.