What the Flock are these cameras around town?

Hey Locals,

Since last fall, several readers have emailed us about cameras they’ve spotted around town, wanting to know more about their purpose and who uses them. Some have identified them as AI-powered Flock Safety license plate recognition (LPR) cameras and shared security concerns. Others have been concerned about whether they might be used by ICE to target immigrants, considering what’s happening in Minneapolis. (The ACLU says: Flock's system is creating "dangerous nationwide mass-surveillance infrastructure" and "is being used by ICE to help carry out the Trump Administration’s abusive removal program.") We’ve also heard the topic brought up by citizens during public comment sessions at City Council and at last week’s ICE Forum.

For a quick reminder:

• Flock Safety is a fast-emerging, venture-capital-funded startup in the national surveillance technology space. It's valued at $7.5B and has contracts with more than 5,000 communities, 4,500 law enforcement agencies, and 1,000 businesses nationwide, including the Fort Wayne Police Department (FWPD).
• One of its primary products are LPR cameras. These are used by police departments, corporations and other entities, like housing associations, in most (49) states across the U.S. often to assist law enforcement. They can be fixed to stationary locations, like poles, or on vehicles.
• Data gathered by this national network of 80,000+ cameras is entered into a single database. This allows law enforcement, including federal agencies, to search for plates traveling anywhere in the country, often without have to get a warrant.

So...

• How many Flock cameras are in Fort Wayne?
• How are they being used and funded?
• And what benefits and risks should residents know about?

To answer these questions:

• We reached out to: the FWPD’s PIO Sgt. Jonathan Cutler (via FOIA request), the City of Fort Wayne, two City Council members as well as organizations that support immigrants and a few immigrants themselves.
• We also consulted several sources online to analyze Flock’s benefits/risks.

Here’s a quick summary of what we learned.