06/15/2026
Communities across the country are increasingly adopting license plate reader systems such as Flock cameras. While proponents argue they help solve crimes and recover stolen vehicles, they also raise serious concerns about privacy and government surveillance.
Flock cameras collect and store data on the movements of countless law-abiding citizens who are not suspected of any crime. Over time, that data can create a detailed record of where people travel, work, worship, and spend their time. As surveillance networks expand, so does the potential for misuse, unauthorized access, and mission creep.
The recent Angela Lipps case in Fargo serves as a reminder that technology is not infallible. Lipps, a Tennessee grandmother, was wrongly identified through facial recognition technology and spent months in jail before investigative errors were uncovered. While Flock cameras were not involved, the case demonstrates the dangers of placing too much trust in technology-generated leads.
Public safety is important, but so are privacy, due process, and accountability. Before expanding surveillance systems, residents should ask who has access to the data, how long it is stored, and what safeguards exist to prevent abuse. Technology should support investigations, not replace human judgment.
