82 cities drop Flock license-plate cameras over 32% false-alert rate
LAPD audit reveals massive accuracy problems and privacy concerns push contract cancellations across 28 states.
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Summary, timeline and people extracted by Claude from 6 items across 4 sources · 1d ago. Quotes are verbatim.
What to know
- LAPD's audit documented a 32.3% false-positive rate on stolen-vehicle alerts, making the system unfit for law enforcement use.
- 82 contract terminations across 28 states since early 2025 reflect systemic concerns about privacy, civil liberties, and data misuse rather than isolated complaints.
- Public resistance extends beyond activism—residents are physically damaging or removing cameras, signaling grassroots opposition to surveillance infrastructure.
- Flock retains 12,000+ active clients despite losses, but growing privacy regulations and federal-access questions threaten the business model.
How it unfolded
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Report LAPD audit findings released
LAPD's internal audit found 161 false stolen-vehicle alerts in just two months, a 32.3% false-positive rate, prompting non-renewal of contract.
“This contract is not being renewed because of serious concerns around civil liberties and civil rights issues, particularly around privacy and the data that is being collected from these cameras.”
Dean Gialamas, LAPD Chief Information Officer · Bluesky ↗ -
Report Nationwide scope quantified
Washington Examiner tally shows 82 terminated contracts across 28 states, with California and Wisconsin leading at seven each.
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Reaction Social media amplification
Bluesky and Mastodon users signal the significance of even law enforcement rejecting the technology.
“It is noteworthy when even the Los Angeles Police Department finds that Flock just isn't worthwhile.”
evacide@hachyderm.io · Mastodon ↗ - 84 weeks quiet
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According to NPR, at least 30 localities deactivated Flock cameras or ended deals since early 2025.
What people are saying verbatim
“This contract is not being renewed because of serious concerns around civil liberties and civil rights issues, particularly around privacy and the data that is being collected from these cameras.”
Dean Gialamas, LAPD Chief Information Officer · Gadget Review ↗ · Aug 9
“One in three alerts being wrong is the kind of accuracy rate that would get a weather app deleted. For a system that can trigger police stops, the stakes are considerably higher.”
Gadget Review, Technology publication · Gadget Review ↗ · Aug 9
“It is noteworthy when even the Los Angeles Police Department finds that Flock just isn't worthwhile.”
evacide@hachyderm.io, Mastodon user · Mastodon ↗ · Aug 9
“Cities bought a crime-fighting tool. What some got instead was a surveillance liability they never budgeted for.”
Gadget Review, Technology publication · Gadget Review ↗ · Aug 9
“In some cities, residents have gone further — damaging, obscuring, or stealing cameras outright. That's not symbolic protest. That's people making their position physical.”
Gadget Review, Technology publication · Gadget Review ↗ · Aug 9
Voices from the web unedited
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The LAPD declined to renew its Flock contract after an internal audit found 161 false stolen-vehicle alerts in just two months — a 32.3% false-positive rate.
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It is noteworthy when even the Los Angeles Police Department finds that Flock just isn't worthwhile. https://www. gadgetreview.com/one-in-three- alerts-wrong-high-error-rates-and-data-concerns-force-cities-to-drop-flock
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"One in Three Alerts Wrong: High Error Rates & Data Concerns Force Cities to Drop Flock. A 32% LAPD false+ rate & immigration data fears have pushed 82 contracts across 28 states to collapse."
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High error rates causing cities to drop # flock contracts https://www. gadgetreview.com/one-in-three- alerts-wrong-high-error-rates-and-data-concerns-force-cities-to-drop-flock # deflock # dataprivacy # AI # NoAI