Jonesboro, Arkansas, has expanded its network of Flock license plate readers to 54 cameras, adding at least 10 over the past two years, according to police. The cameras have generated concerns on social media from residents who fear police could use the system to monitor their daily movements.

What Is Flock?

A Flock camera is a license plate reader camera built to identify vehicle details that may help generate investigative leads. Flock cameras are not general-purpose surveillance systems designed to identify people. They are built to focus on the vehicle involved in an incident and the details that can help distinguish it from other vehicles on the road.

Lt. David McDaniel, who oversees the Jonesboro Police Department’s Real Time Intelligence Center, said much of the concern stems from misunderstandings about what the cameras capture and how officers access the information. The cameras take still photos of license plates and do not continuously record video.

Flock’s Use

For law enforcement, McDaniel said the information recorded is an invaluable tool. He specifically mentioned how it was used to help return a missing girl to her parents in Jonesboro. McDaniel said every user must provide a reason for accessing the system, and each search is logged, allowing the department to review who used the system and why.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has expressed concerns about the Flock system, saying it is a quiet effort to “build a nationwide mass surveillance system.” However, McDaniel said the system is particularly useful for a busy department attempting to investigate crimes and assist victims with limited personnel.

Original reporting: NEA Report (Jonesboro) — read the source article.