Flock cameras, also known as Flock Safety Automatic License Plate Readers (ALPR), are specialized surveillance cameras designed to capture still images of vehicles, specifically the rear license plates, on public roadways from fixed locations. These cameras use artificial intelligence to read license plates and identify vehicle characteristics such as make, model, color, bumper stickers, dents, and other distinguishing features, a technology Flock calls "vehicle fingerprint technology"

. Key features and operation details include:

• They are primarily solar-powered and operate 24/7, using motion activation to capture images as vehicles pass by.
• The data collected, including license plate images, vehicle images, time, date, and location, is encrypted and uploaded to a cloud server, where it is stored for about 30 days.
• The system cross-references captured license plates against national and state police databases, including the National Crime Information Center and hotlists for stolen vehicles or wanted persons, enabling near-instant alerts to law enforcement if a match is found

Flock cameras are used by law enforcement agencies, schools, businesses, homeowners associations (HOAs), and neighborhoods to enhance community safety, assist in crime prevention, and provide investigative leads. They help locate stolen vehicles, missing persons, and provide a virtual security perimeter for various entities

. Unlike traffic enforcement cameras, Flock cameras do not enforce traffic laws but serve exclusively for surveillance and criminal investigations. They are integrated with other camera systems and police technologies to provide comprehensive security solutions

. The system has raised concerns about mass surveillance and privacy, as it collects extensive vehicle data and is accessible to law enforcement, though it does not use facial recognition technology

. In summary, Flock cameras are AI-powered, solar-operated license plate readers that capture vehicle data to support crime prevention and investigation efforts across communities and law enforcement agencies