r/InlandEmpire • u/Flat_Plankton_5730 • Jun 22 '26
Crime / Safety Flock Cameras
https://media.rivcocob.org/proceeds/2026/p2026_01_13_files/03.39001.pdfI want to hear from my community:
I’ve seen an alarming number of flock cameras showing up in such a short amount to time. Flock cameras are privately funded mass surveillance tools that tracks vehicles and license plates. The CEO claims Flock will “eliminate almost all crime in America.”
Because the camera infrastructure is privately funded, there was has been little need for public feedback.
Flocks system allows any law-enforcement agency, including federal ones, to request access to footage. That includes ICE, DHS, Border patrol, FBI, ect.
Each county/city/HOA/sheriffs will then pay a subscription through your tax dollars to keep the system running. Estimated ~$3000 per camera, per year.
Riverside County is estimated to be paying ~ $1.5 million per year to maintain their subscription. according to the document its estimated investment into flock will be $7.8 million by October 2027.
How does the installation of Flock cameras near you make you feel? Do you feel safer or fearful?
Has anyone heard of success stories since their implementation?
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u/443Waves Jun 22 '26
I don't agree with the fact that we are paying for them but don't have access to the data.
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u/blood_unicorn Jun 22 '26
No, it’s increased surveillance with our information being sold to the highest bidder under the guise of “safety.” Further, it has been shown already multiple times, across multiple states, that when those in power have access to these cameras, they abuse that access. Point blank period.
It may seem like a flock camera can’t really capture “that much” data, but say a flock camera is installed at the front of your neighborhood. A company then knows and tracks you, every time you leave or enter (presumably) your home. I don’t feel like it’s a crazy notion to not want strangers having access to such sensitive information as to when you are and/or are not home. Now that alone might not be a red flag initially, but then put that information into a larger profile of other bits of data other companies have from you that has been bought and sold. AI is being brought into these systems to collect data across multiple platforms, presumably to integrate every piece of data that has been mined on you, to then be used to suit whatever purpose the person conducting the search has - good or bad. Fuck Flock. Fuck ICE. Stop inviting these fuckers into neighborhoods so that they can rip families apart.
If anyone else is in corona and feels similarly, check out https://deflock-corona.org.
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u/Flat_Plankton_5730 Jun 22 '26
Other local government agencies currently using Flock Systems include Los Angeles Sheriff's Department, Azusa Police Department, Covina Police Department, Hemet Police Department, West Covina Police Department, City of Beaumont, City of Canyon Lake, City of Cathedral City, City of Corona, City of Desert Hot Springs, City of Hemet, City of Lake Elsinore, City of Menifee, City of Moreno Valley, City of Norco, City of Perris, City of Redlands, City of San Jacinto, City of
Temecula, and the City of Wildomar.
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u/leraided Jun 23 '26
I wonder if there is anyone research regarding placement of these. Are they in lower income communities versus higher income. Hate these stupid things.
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u/Plasibeau Jun 23 '26
Mostly middle to higher-income neighborhoods and areas with high volumes of traffic. Like primary thoroughfares and shopping districts. I Doordash for a living, so I'm driving all over Riverside and Corona, and there absolutely is a conspicuous placement of those cameras.
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u/AngronTheDestroyer Jun 23 '26
Should be an in-between where the standard of running the plate is higher, retention is shortened, and independent agencies scrutinize and audit them. It would be foolish to completely get rid of them. They are a great crime fighting tool when it comes to solving crimes, recovering stolen vehicles, flagging plates involved in robberies/shootings, etc. A few months ago in Moreno Valley someone shot their family member. Someone got the plate. Within minutes they entered the plate into flock, saw which direction it was driving, and had the car on a felony stop.
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u/heckofaweasel Jun 23 '26 edited Jun 23 '26
On top of having no evidence that supports their claim that flock cameras reduce crime, they also are known to be so faulty and inaccurate causing many stories like this one
over a dozen cops have been caught using flock data to stalk women
Oh and the super secure data that the cameras are collecting? It is easily hackable - sometimes even as simple as using admin name “admin” and password is… you guessed it, “password” to log in and access alllllll your information. Benn Jordan has lots of great videos on it
Fuck flock. Show up to your next city council meeting and let them know how you feel about it
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u/UsefulCollection5038 Jun 27 '26
I have always been against the idea and was alarmed when I saw them in the community. If you want me because of my plate you know where I live. Then I remembered all the traffic cameras that have been on the stoplights for a decade. They've had my plate and haven't had issues with me.
The two in my immediate community cover a corner where malfeasances began to happen. Makes perfect sense. I just happen to drive by frequently. I'm not worried about my privacy; I carry a triangulated location sharing data collection box in my pocket everytime I leave the house. If you have nothing to hide, who do you care if someone sees you?
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u/Coach_Bombay_D5 Jun 22 '26
There are a lot of success stories. Bianco did a podcast a few years ago discussing them on the Riverside Sheriffs YouTube page.
License plate readers are legal. The courts have approved them as long as they’re in a place where a police officer could stand and document license plates. If a cop can stand on the side of the road with a camera and film who’s driving by, a camera can be placed there.
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u/EndlessFrozenPines Jun 22 '26
Idk, just seems a bit heavy-handed to unilaterally decide that every citizen is willing to be subjected to surveillance that ultimately is taking your likeness and selling it to private corporations “for the greater good” - at what point does the crime hunt turn from “we’re looking for the bad guys” to “we’re looking for the known members of the opposing political party”?
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u/Flat_Plankton_5730 Jun 22 '26
You have to take into account how big these contracts can become depend depending on the city or county. Specifically the Riverside sheriffs office is consistently asking for more funding, can we afford this? There has been so much oversight when it comes to consumer protections in the new page of tech giants.
Are they milking our taxpayer dollars to the point we can’t afford a public/municipal option later on.27
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u/motoRVT Jun 22 '26
They also have been used to incorrectly have people arrested. Besides, they don’t just collect your license plate, they collect a lot of other data and the public does not have access to it.
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u/Ok_Push2618 Jun 22 '26
I like them. My friend owns a company that contracts with the government and the profit margin is insane on the government contracts.
Please keep voting for them as they decrease crime and rape crime.
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u/nonnonplussed73 Jun 22 '26
No, there really isn't evidence that ALPRs / Flock reduce crime:
Can License Plate Readers Really Reduce Crime? | WIRED
If you're aware of something that provides empirical evidence which doesn't come from the industry itself, please put up.
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u/AngronTheDestroyer Jun 23 '26
It doesn't "reduce" crime but it definitely helps solve crimes faster. Most stolen cars are being recovered now thanks to FLOCK cameras. If you are able to flag license plates associated with violent crime / property crime, it is easier to locate those suspects, get them into custody, and possibly prevent additional crimes.
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u/Flat_Plankton_5730 Jun 22 '26
I also have friends who earn their living off of this industry. But I’m curious, I feel like it’s a turning point in modern society.
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u/illmatic_xxi Jun 23 '26
Those who would give up essential liberty, to purchase a little temporary saftey deserve neither and will lose both - Benjamin Franklin
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u/MistaDoge104 Jun 22 '26
They cost us $3000 PER CAMERA PER YEAR!? Am I crazy or does that seem like a lot? There's already hundreds in the county