Flock safety cameras

Flock safety cameras are automated license plate reader (ALPR) systems that help law enforcement investigate and solve crimes by collecting vehicle information. The cameras are an investigative tool to support public safety while following laws, policies, and privacy protections.

Benefits of Flock safety cameras

Flock safety cameras use machine learning to identify important details that traditional license plate readers overlook. Besides just a license plate number, Flock cameras organize vehicles into categories based on:

  • Make
  • Model
  • Color
  • Resident or non-resident vehicle
  • Timestamp
  • Type of plate (standard or temporary)
  • Damage or alterations (i.e., broken taillight, aftermarket wheels)

Communities with Flock cameras

There are more than 76 Washington communities with active Flock safety cameras, including our South King County partner cities of Renton, Tukwila, Auburn, Kent, and Federal Way.

What the cameras can and can’t do

These cameras aren’t a live video feed. Officers can’t view them like a CCTV system. They only alert officers if they enter a search term and they only show a snapshot of the vehicle. They don’t photograph the driver or any passengers.

Flock cameras also don’t have facial recognition.

Safety and privacy policy

When you read the Automated License Plate Reader policy(PDF, 613KB), you’ll learn how we use the cameras, what they record, and how we protect the information. It gives a clear overview of how the system supports community safety while keeping privacy in mind

The department's use of this technology is governed by policy, training, access controls, audits, and data retention requirements. It complies with Washington's Driver Privacy Act, ESSB 6002, and applicable requirements and guidance from the Washinton State Attorney General's Office. As part of the commitment to transparency, you can view the SeaTac PD Transparency Portal.

 

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