How Las Vegas Installed A Massive Flock Camera Network Without Asking You

  • LV police run about 200 Flock cameras backed by private funds.
  • Metro logged more than 23,000 vehicle searches since 2023.
  • Critics say donor funding sidestepped public debate.

Flock Safety draws plenty of criticism for how it conducts business, yet city leaders are not always above scrutiny either. Public safety contracts often test the limits of transparency and oversight. Denver’s mayor recently faced backlash after approving a contract with the company valued just under the threshold that would have required city council approval.

Now, Las Vegas is in the crosshairs because its police force is using around 200 Flock cameras that the public never had a say in. That’s because they’re almost all supported through private donations.

Private Funding Sidesteps Public Review

In most cases, cities end up paying for Flock Safety or other companies’ automatic license plate reader systems. To that end, the public often has a chance to speak up about whether or not they support such contracts. Sites like ALRP.Watch allow citizens to track such meetings, but if you go there, you’ll note that there are none in or around Las Vegas.

More: Why More Cities Are Suddenly Pulling The Plug On Flock Safety Cameras

That’s because private donors like the Horowitz Foundation supplied the Las Vegas Metro Police Department with cash for the system. That money went to a non-profit arm of the LVMPD called Friends of Metro, according to The Nevada Independent. The arrangement, critics argue, effectively bypasses the kind of public debate typically seen when surveillance systems are rolled out with taxpayer money.

How Las Vegas Installed A Massive Flock Camera Network Without Asking You

How Extensive Is The System?

According to Metro, the department operates roughly 200 Flock cameras mounted on city or county infrastructure and shares data with hundreds of state and local agencies across the country. Public audit logs compiled by Have I Been Flocked show Las Vegas police have conducted more than 23,000 vehicle searches since late 2023.

“It’s a short circuit of the democratic process,” said Jay Stanley of the American Civil Liberties Union in comments to local media. “Does the community want this technology imposed on it?” This is far from the first time that ALPR privacy concerns have popped up.

For some residents, that isn’t even the primary concern, either. What happens if and when private funding runs out? Perhaps citizens will get a chance to vote at that point. For now, it doesn’t seem to matter if Nevadans want the technology or not. The system continues capturing vehicle data from residents and visitors throughout Las Vegas.

How Las Vegas Installed A Massive Flock Camera Network Without Asking You

Photos Mercedes-Benz, Deflock.me, Flock Safety


The Auto World

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

This German 911 Looks Straight Out Of 1973 But It’s Hiding A Big Secret

Image
Ruehle’s F97 puts a modern 997 twist on the backdated 911 formula. The 2005-based F97 looks like a ’73 RSR but runs a water-cooled heart. All-steel US-legal builds start at $400K, undercutting Singer’s prices. Sometimes it feels like you’ve seen so many G-series 911 and 964 restomods that there must only be about three standard cars left in the world, which is why the backdated 911 you see here really caught our attention. Because this one isn’t based on a 1980s or ’90s Porsche at all. It starts with a newer model that’s quietly slipped from the spotlight, despite being one of the most balanced 911s ever made. More: Reverse Restomod Takes 2008 Ford Mustang Back To 1969 And The Shelby GT The reverse restomod is called the F97, built by German outfit called Reuhle , which now also operates an American branch in Montclair, California. 997 Bones Underneath Like many other companies making backdated 911s , Reuhle’s car takes major inspiration from the classic 1973 Ca...
Read more

Only 69 Of These 10.4-Liter V8 Camaros Exist And They’re Just As Naughty As That Sounds

Image
The 2023 COPO Camaro delivers 1,004 hp from a 10.4-liter V8. This beast can sprint down the quarter-mile in under 8 seconds. When it was new, these cars set back owners around $130,000. When you think of modern performance cars with truly colossal engines, your mind probably drifts toward the Dodge Viper with its 8.4-liter V10 or the Bugatti Chiron and its 8.0-liter W16. Yet not long ago, Chevrolet quietly built a limited run of Camaros whose engines made even those giants look restrained. More: This Forgotten 1,000-Mile Oldsmobile V8 Sedan Took On Lexus And Lost The car in question is the 2023 COPO Camaro , of which just 69 examples were produced. These models were available with a choice of three V8s: a 427 cubic-inch (6.9-liter) V8, a supercharged 350 cubic-inch (5.7-liter), and a monstrous 632 cubic-inch V8, which translates to 10.4 liters. In January, Mecum Auctions will be selling one of the COPO models equipped with this flagship engine. How Big Is Too Big...
Read more

Stellantis Wants To Rebrand Chinese EVs For Europe

Image
Opel may rebadge the Leapmotor B10 for Europe by 2026. Production could begin at Stellantis’ Zaragoza plant in Spain. Local output could help avoid steep EU tariffs on Chinese EVs. Stellantis could soon find itself stepping into unfamiliar territory, as it is reportedly exploring the idea of adding Chinese-built models to its European lineup under familiar badges. According to insider sources, Opel is eyeing the electric Leapmotor B10 as its first possible contender. German outlet Automobilwoche reports that the Chinese SUV might wear Opel badges as early as next year. Leapmotor, a Chinese EV manufacturer partly owned by Stellantis, has been steadily expanding its footprint both at home and abroad. More: Stellantis Just Sent Europe A Warning With This Chinese-Built Electric Hatch The unnamed source notes that while a final decision remains pending, the proposal represents “an interesting opportunity to offer a well-equipped and affordable EV in the compact SUV segmen...
Read more