Flock Cameras

The City of Puyallup originally approved a 2-year contract with Flock in December,

2023. The contract provided for the use of 45 Flock automated license plate readers

(ALPRs) as a law enforcement tool. Installation of the cameras was completed in the

summer of 2024. The cameras capture images of vehicles and license plates as they

pass. They record details such as the plate number, vehicle characteristics, time and

location, but not driver characteristics. Authorized law-enforcement personnel can

search the data for vehicles associated with active investigations or alerts.

In 2025 the Flock database was used in 433 investigations and contributed to 136

arrests. Between 2024 and 2025, motor vehicles thefts in Puyallup dropped 71%, and

robberies dropped by 29%. It is important to note, however, that these crime reductions

coincided with the installation of Flock cameras, but cannot be attributed to their use.

A key concern with Flock cameras is protecting individual privacy and preventing

misuse of Flock data. Individual observations may be inappropriately accessed, or

combined into a searchable surveillance system that could be used to reconstruct

people’s movements. This raises questions about database access and record

retention. The Puyallup Police Department (PPD) has taken the following actions to

minimize the potential for misuse.

• Limited Puyallup data access to state and local agencies here in Washington.

• Created a data collection system that requires police officers and detectives to

  enter their name, date, timeframe being searched and reason for the inquiry before accessing the database.

• Implemented regular command staff reviews of data inquiries for appropriateness.

• Directed that Flock data be purged after 25 days.

At the state level, the State Legislature has also passed legislation limiting where

cameras may be located, how they are used, and limiting data access to in-state

agencies. The Washington State Attorney General (AGO) must develop model ALPR

policies by July 1, 2027. Local agencies using ALPRs must then adopt policies

consistent with the AGO’s model policies, or explain any departures. Puyallup

continues to operate its Flock system under its original contract which expired at the

end of 2025, pending release of the updated state regulations.

Although Puyallup and Washington State have both taken actions to control data access

and use, the possibility of illegal use still exists. Anyone who distributes or misuses

Flock data is subject to prosecution.