Documented Incident
Philadelphia City Council unanimously passes resolution urging state ban or limits on Flock ALPR cameras
Event: September 24, 2026 · First reported: September 24, 2026 · 2 sources
On Sept. 24, 2026, Philadelphia City Council unanimously approved a resolution authored by Councilmember at-large Rue Landau calling on Pennsylvania lawmakers to either ban Flock Safety's automated license plate reader cameras or enact strong guardrails on the technology. The resolution alleges that Flock has overstated the effectiveness of its data access and security controls, citing search justifications logged as vague terms such as 'investigation' or even 'hehehe.' A Flock spokesperson responded that a blanket ban would remove a proven investigative tool and said the company supports bipartisan legislation adding privacy, transparency and accountability safeguards. The resolution is a request to the state legislature rather than a local ordinance regulating the cameras.
A major city's governing body formally asking its state legislature to consider banning a widely deployed surveillance tool signals how far local oversight debates over ALPRs have escalated. Because Pennsylvania lawmakers are already weighing regulation, Philadelphia's position could shape what statewide rules, if any, emerge.
Key facts
- Resolution passed unanimously by Philadelphia City Council on Sept. 24, 2026; authored by Councilmember at-large Rue Landau.
- The measure is a resolution urging state action, not an enacted local ban.
- It alleges Flock overstated its search-justification safeguards, citing entries like 'investigation' and 'hehehe.'
- Flock said a blanket ban would remove a 'proven investigative tool' and that it supports guardrail legislation.
- FlockCameraLocations.com lists more than 300 Flock and other ALPR cameras within 10 miles of Center City Philadelphia.
- Gov. Josh Shapiro said in August 2026 he would welcome legislation banning the devices.
Sources
This summary was written from the published reporting below and links to it; BlockFlockNow does not reproduce article text.
- Philly City Council to discuss legislation calling to ban Flock cameras (NBC10 Philadelphia, September 24, 2026)
- Philly City Council to discuss legislation calling for ban on Flock cameras (Nbc10 Philadelphia, September 24, 2026)
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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 28, 2026. Corrections: blockflock@bytebunny.io. See all documented incidents or search the full article archive.