Keep Flock Out of Maine

Automatic license plate readers (ALPRs), including those operated by companies like Flock Safety, are quietly helping build a nationwide mass surveillance system. Mounted on police cars, road signs, bridges, and other locations, these high-speed cameras can capture thousands of license plates in a matter of minutes, creating a detailed record of where people travel.

When that data is shared across jurisdictions or with the federal government, it can undermine fundamental rights, including the right to privacy, freedom from unreasonable searches and seizures, and freedom of speech and association. The breadth of this surveillance creates a powerful tool for tracking people’s movements and associations, raising serious Fourth Amendment concerns.

ALPR systems have already been linked to abuses of power and invasions of privacy, including:

• License plate information in Illinois was shared with ICE, a clear violation of state law
• An Illinois police department shared Flock data with a Texas sheriff who was searching for a woman who may have been seeking an abortion – a violation of state healthcare shield laws and an invasion of the woman’s privacy and ability to travel freely
• Flock cameras have been used by law enforcement to stalk and harass their partners by finding out where they are traveling.

ALPRs are not inevitable. People across Maine are fighting back. After public pushback, South Portland cancelled its contract with Flock and agreed to remove all existing Flock cameras from the city. In Fryeburg, citizens showed up at a Select Board meeting to voice their concerns about a plan to mount ALPRs along their Main Street. After dozens of people spoke out, the Select Board voted unanimously against funding for the project.

We have a voice. Tell local officials: Get Flock out of Maine.

In 2025, we began sending public records requests to towns and cities across Maine that appeared to be working with Flock. As we learn more about municipalities and agencies that may be using Flock or other ALPR technology, we’ll continue requesting records to better understand these partnerships.

On the map below, hover over a town or city name to see the results of our public records investigation. If you think you've seen an ALPR in your town, let us know.