Full Breakdown
Flock Cameras Turn Into Midterm Campaign Flashpoint
9/6/2026, 1:58:36 AM
The Issue on the Ballot
Flock Safety’s AI-powered network of automated license-plate readers—installed in an estimated 6,000 communities nationwide—has become a focal point of the 2024 midterm races. The technology records vehicle plates and other characteristics, allowing law-enforcement agencies to search and share the data. Police agencies describe the system as a valuable crime-fighting tool, while a growing coalition of candidates and privacy advocates argue it amounts to warrantless mass surveillance.
Candidate Positions Across States
- Texas: Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico declared that “Flock cameras have no place in Texas.” His Republican opponent Ken Paxton did not comment.
- Pennsylvania: Governor-candidate Josh Shapiro (D) said he would support a statewide ban; Republican Treasurer Stacy Garrity called the cameras “an intrusive invasion of privacy” and also favored a ban.
- Wisconsin: Democratic gubernatorial nominee David Crowley highlighted an order limiting Flock use in Milwaukee County and pledged “strict transparency and accountability laws.” Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany proposed pausing state funding, creating a task force on privacy protections, and adding safeguards against foreign adversaries.
- The outgoing administration has already ordered removal of automated readers from state highways.
- Rhode Island: Democratic Governor Dan McKee paused new installations ahead of the Sept. 9 primary, citing privacy concerns; primary challenger Helena Foulkes questioned the timing but agreed a data review was needed.
Law-Enforcement and Corporate Response
Police leaders continue to endorse the technology. Mitchell Davis III, chief of police in Hazel Crest, Illinois, and president of the National Organization of Black Law-Enforcement Executives, called the cameras “invaluable” and warned that eliminating them would be “a huge mistake.”
The firm urged policymakers to consider “the safeguards already in place” before pursuing bans.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We ask anyone weighing in on this issue to engage with the facts and the record: the crimes solved, the families reunited, the safeguards already in place, and what our technology actually does,” — MoMo Zhou, the company's vice president of communications
- “Flock cameras have no place in Texas.” — West Texas
- “Instead of focusing on eliminating the cameras, make sure that there's proper guidelines and proper accountability for misuse of the cameras.” — President Donald Trump
- “This is the government seeking more power, right?” — Chavez
