Flock ALPR cameras emerge as bipartisan midterm campaign issue in multiple states

First reported: September 4, 2026 · 39 sources

Candidates from both parties in states including Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Texas, Michigan, Rhode Island and Florida have made Flock Safety's automated license plate reader network a campaign theme, with positions ranging from statewide bans to funding pauses and warrant requirements. Flock says its cameras operate in 6,000 communities in every state except Alaska and credits the technology with helping solve roughly one million crimes and reunite about 10,000 missing people. Police groups, including National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives president and Hazel Crest, Illinois police chief Mitchell Davis III, argue the answer is stronger guidelines and accountability rather than removal. The debate has intensified amid litigation over constitutional questions and reported cases of officers misusing the systems.

Why this matters

ALPR policy is moving from local council agendas into statewide and federal electoral politics, which could shape whether restrictions come through legislation, funding conditions, or warrant requirements. How these races resolve may set precedent for how other communities regulate surveillance vendors.

Key facts

Flock says its cameras run in 6,000 communities in every state but Alaska; the company was founded in 2017.
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) and his Republican opponent, Treasurer Stacy Garrity, both said they support a statewide ban.
Wisconsin's David Crowley (D) says he issued an order limiting Flock use in Milwaukee County; Rep. Tom Tiffany (R) proposes pausing state funding and creating a privacy task force.
Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee paused new camera installations weeks before the state's Sept. 9 primary, citing privacy and transparency concerns.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis's administration ordered removal of automated license plate readers from state highway rights-of-way.
Flock VP of communications MoMo Zhou urged critics to engage with the record on crimes solved and existing safeguards rather than pursue outright bans.

Timeline

September 4, 2026Flock surveillance cameras become midterm campaign target as voters balk at tech companie power | Business
September 4, 2026Flock surveillance cameras become midterm campaign target

Sources

This summary was written from the published reporting below and links to it; BlockFlockNow does not reproduce article text.

Flock surveillance cameras become midterm campaign target as voters balk at tech companie power | Business (miamitimesonline.com, September 4, 2026)
Flock surveillance cameras become midterm campaign target as voters balk at tech companies' power - apnews.com (Google News, September 4, 2026)
Flock surveillance cameras become midterm campaign target as voters balk at tech companie power (dailygazette.com, September 4, 2026)
Flock surveillance cameras become midterm campaign target as voters balk at tech companie power (thegazette.com, September 4, 2026)
Flock surveillance cameras become midterm campaign target as voters balk at tech companies' power (abcnews.com, September 4, 2026)
Flock surveillance cameras become midterm campaign target as voters balk at tech companies’ power (WTOP News, September 4, 2026)
Flock surveillance cameras become midterm campaign target as voters balk at tech companies’ power (Vallejo Times Herald, September 4, 2026)
Flock surveillance cameras become midterm campaign target as voters balk at tech companie power (postregister.com, September 4, 2026)
Flock surveillance cameras become midterm campaign target as voters balk at tech companie power (adn.com, September 4, 2026)
Flock surveillance cameras become midterm campaign target as voters balk at tech companies’ power (pottsmerc.com, September 4, 2026)
Flock surveillance cameras become midterm campaign target as voters balk at tech companie power (thepeterboroughexaminer.com, September 4, 2026)
Flock surveillance cameras become midterm campaign target as voters balk at tech companies’ power (Fort Bragg Advocate-News, September 4, 2026)
Flock surveillance cameras become midterm campaign target as voters balk at tech companie power (kxl.com, September 4, 2026)
Flock surveillance cameras become midterm campaign target as voters balk at tech companie power (news4jax.com, September 4, 2026)
Flock surveillance cameras become midterm campaign target as voters balk at tech companie power (whec.com, September 4, 2026)
Flock surveillance cameras become midterm campaign target as voters balk at tech companie power (clickorlando.com, September 4, 2026)
Flock surveillance cameras become midterm campaign target as voters balk at tech companie power (abcnews.com, September 4, 2026)
Flock surveillance cameras become midterm campaign target as voters balk at tech companie power (yankton.net, September 4, 2026)
Flock cameras become midterm campaign target as voters balk at tech companies' power (PBS, September 5, 2026)
Flock surveillance cameras become midterm campaign target (orlandosentinel.com, September 4, 2026)
Flock surveillance cameras become midterm campaign target as voters balk at tech companies’ power (Lowell Sun, September 4, 2026)
Flock surveillance cameras become midterm campaign target as voters balk at tech companies’ power (East Bay Times, September 4, 2026)
Flock surveillance cameras become midterm campaign target (marinij.com, September 4, 2026)
Flock surveillance cameras become midterm campaign target (dailylocal.com, September 4, 2026)
Flock surveillance cameras become midterm campaign target (sandiegouniontribune.com, September 4, 2026)
Flock surveillance cameras become midterm campaign target (broomfieldenterprise.com, September 4, 2026)
Flock surveillance cameras have become a midterm campaign target (wsbradio.com, September 4, 2026)
Flock surveillance cameras have become a midterm campaign target (wgauradio.com, September 4, 2026)
Flock surveillance cameras have become a midterm campaign target (wokv.com, September 4, 2026)
Atlanta-based Flock’s surveillance cameras become midterm campaign target (WABE, September 4, 2026)
Flock surveillance cameras become midterm campaign target (dailybreeze.com, September 4, 2026)
Flock surveillance cameras have become a midterm campaign target (wdbo.com, September 4, 2026)
Flock surveillance cameras become midterm campaign target (dailynews.com, September 4, 2026)
Flock surveillance cameras become midterm campaign target (pilotonline.com, September 4, 2026)
Flock surveillance cameras become midterm campaign target as voters balk at tech companies’ power (Hartford Courant, September 4, 2026)
Flock surveillance cameras become midterm campaign target as voters balk at tech companies' power (abcnews.com, September 4, 2026)
Flock surveillance cameras become midterm campaign target as voters balk at tech companies' power (hendersondispatch.com, September 4, 2026)
Flock surveillance cameras become midterm campaign target as voters balk at tech companies' power (Jacksonville Journal-Courier, September 4, 2026)
Flock surveillance cameras become midterm campaign target as voters balk at tech companies’ power (Jamaica Gleaner, September 6, 2026)

About this record

BlockFlockNow documents reported incidents involving Flock Safety cameras and automated license plate readers: council votes, contract decisions, misuse by authorized users, lawsuits, audits, and community response. Every record is reviewed by a person before publication. New to the topic? Start with What is Flock?, find meetings near you, or learn how to request your town's camera records.

Updated September 12, 2026. Corrections: blockflock@bytebunny.io. See all documented incidents or search the full article archive.