Documented Incident
Pa. Gov. Shapiro Says He Would Welcome Bipartisan Bill Banning Flock Cameras Statewide
Event: August 28, 2025 · First reported: September 2, 2026 · 7 sources
Gov. Josh Shapiro said on Aug. 28, during an unrelated public-safety event in Upper Moreland Township, that he would welcome bipartisan legislation banning Flock Safety license-plate cameras across Pennsylvania, saying the technology is not a tool he supports. His comments come as state lawmakers circulate competing measures ranging from an outright prohibition on networked ALPR systems to narrower limits on data collection, retention and access. None of the principal proposals has been enacted. Shapiro also said Pennsylvania State Police do not use Flock cameras and that the technology is not permitted on state property or PennDOT roadways.
A governor endorsing a statewide ban would be among the most prominent executive positions taken against a major ALPR vendor, and the differing bills illustrate a broader choice between regulating one company's product and setting rules for networked vehicle-location databases generally.
Key facts
- Shapiro told reporters Aug. 28 that he would welcome bipartisan legislation banning Flock cameras statewide and that they are not in the public interest.
- Sen. Dan Laughlin (R-Erie) circulated a co-sponsorship memo Aug. 27 to prohibit Flock and "substantially similar" networked ALPR systems.
- Sen. Lisa Boscola (D-Northampton) proposed criminalizing unauthorized personal or unlawful use of automated surveillance systems, while preserving lawful investigative uses.
- Sen. Doug Mastriano (R-Franklin) is pursuing a bill barring routine, suspicionless collection and retention of motorist movement data.
- West Goshen Township Police operate plate readers at multiple intersections using PlateLogiQ's VIPR platform, not Flock, per publicly available information; Flock says its technology was used in more than 1 million investigations nationwide in 2025.
Sources
This summary was written from the published reporting below and links to it; BlockFlockNow does not reproduce article text.
- Shapiro Backs Flock Ban as Pa. Surveillance Fight Grows (Mychesco, September 2, 2026)
- Shapiro backs Flock camera ban (Bradford Era, September 1, 2026)
- Gov. Josh Shapiro joins calls to ban Flock cameras in Pennsylvania (Axios, September 2, 2026)
- ‘Not a tool that I support.’ Gov. Josh Shapiro backs Flock camera ban (Centre Daily Times, August 31, 2026)
- Shapiro backs Flock camera ban (Cbnc, August 30, 2026)
- Shapiro Backs Flock Camera Ban (PoliticsPA, August 31, 2026)
- Shapiro backs Flock camera ban (North Penn Now, September 2, 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 7, 2026. Corrections: blockflock@bytebunny.io. See all documented incidents or search the full article archive.