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Flock Safety Technology: Frequently Asked Questions
The Rochester Police Department is committed to using technology responsibly to enhance public safety, assist in criminal investigations, and better serve our community. We recognize that residents may have questions regarding privacy and the use of evolving technologies such as Automated License Plate Readers (ALPRs).
Flock Safety has proven to be a valuable investigative tool, and the Rochester Police Department has implemented strict controls governing access, data retention, information sharing, and oversight to ensure the technology is used responsibly and in accordance with Massachusetts and Federal laws.
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Q: What is Flock Safety?
A: Flock Safety is an Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) system that captures images of license plates and visible vehicle characteristics, including the vehicle’s make, model, color, and other identifying features.
The system uses fixed cameras that capture still images of vehicles traveling on public roadways. This technology assists law enforcement with investigating crimes, recovering stolen vehicles, locating missing persons, and enhancing public safety.
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Q: What concerns have people raised about Flock Safety?
A: The most common concerns involve privacy and the possibility of tracking individuals’ movements. The Rochester Police Department takes these concerns seriously and has implemented safeguards to ensure the technology is used only for legitimate law enforcement purposes and in compliance with all applicable laws and department policies.
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Q: What does the Rochester Police Department use Flock Safety for?
A: Flock Safety is used as an investigative tool to assist officers and detectives in identifying vehicles connected to criminal activity and developing investigative leads.
Department members must have a legitimate law enforcement purpose before conducting a search in the system. Flock is not used to monitor residents’ daily activities, track individuals, or for any personal or non-law enforcement purpose.
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Q: What information does Flock collect?
A: Flock captures images of license plates and vehicle characteristics that are visible from public roadways. The system does not use facial recognition technology and is not designed to identify drivers or passengers.
Unless data is preserved as part of a criminal investigation or another lawful law enforcement purpose, Flock data is automatically deleted after 30 days, consistent with Rochester Police Department policy.
The system also maintains a complete audit trail documenting user activity, allowing the department to review searches and monitor system usage. This oversight helps ensure accountability and allows the department to investigate any potential misuse of the technology.
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Q: Who does the Rochester Police Department share information with?
A: The Rochester Police Department shares Flock information only with approved law enforcement agencies for legitimate law enforcement purposes. Access is carefully controlled and reviewed by the department.
The Rochester Police Department does not allow unrestricted access to its Flock data. The department maintains the authority to approve, restrict, or revoke access to agencies based upon operational needs, legal requirements, and public trust considerations.
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Q: Does the Rochester Police Department share information nationwide?
A: No. The Rochester Police Department does not enable unrestricted nationwide access to its Flock data.
Information sharing is limited to authorized law enforcement agencies with a legitimate investigative need and in accordance with department policy and applicable laws.
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Q: Does the Rochester Police Department share information with ICE or other federal agencies?
A: The Rochester Police Department does not provide open access to its Flock data to federal agencies. Any request for information by a federal agency would be reviewed on a case-by-case basis and must be associated with a legitimate law enforcement purpose and comply with applicable laws, policies, and legal requirements.
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Q: Why is information sharing important?
A: Criminal activity does not stop at town or state borders. Responsible information sharing allows law enforcement agencies to collaborate more effectively, identify suspects, recover stolen property, locate missing persons, and solve crimes more quickly.
Flock Safety allows agencies to share investigative information while still maintaining strict controls over who has access and how that information may be used.
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Q: Has Flock Safety been effective for the Rochester Police Department?
A: Yes. Flock Safety has already proven to be a valuable investigative tool for the Rochester Police Department. It has assisted officers with locating missing persons, identifying vehicles connected to criminal investigations, recovering stolen vehicles, identifying suspects, and developing investigative leads.
The technology has also assisted the department in working collaboratively with neighboring law enforcement agencies to solve crimes that cross municipal boundaries.
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Q: Can the department control who has access to its information?
A: Yes. The Rochester Police Department maintains complete control over who can access its shared Flock information.
The department can approve, limit, or revoke access to other agencies and regularly reviews those permissions to ensure they remain appropriate and consistent with department policies.
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Q: Is this technology legal?
A: Courts have generally found that individuals do not have a reasonable expectation of privacy in a license plate displayed on a vehicle traveling on a public roadway. Courts have upheld the use of ALPR technology when it is used appropriately and in accordance with the law.
The Rochester Police Department continuously monitors legal developments and follows all applicable federal and Massachusetts laws, guidance, and court decisions related to the use of ALPR technology.
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Q: How does the Rochester Police Department balance public safety and privacy?
A: The Rochester Police Department understands the importance of protecting both public safety and individual privacy.
Flock Safety is one of many investigative tools used to protect our community. Through strict access controls, limited data retention, auditing of user activity, ongoing policy review, and responsible information sharing, the Rochester Police Department remains committed to ensuring this technology is used transparently, responsibly, and in a manner that maintains the trust of the community we proudly serve.
Team RPD remains committed to transparency, accountability, and utilizing modern technology responsibly to keep Rochester safe.
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