Flock cameras; license plate readers

[Alan Gould]

You may be in favor of or opposed to police use of Flock cameras (license plate readers).
Most opposed have concerns about privacy and possible misuse of the technology by the government. In light of this year's actions by the federal government, this may be a valid concern. That must be weighed against the benefits of the technology in finding suspects and solving crimes. I'm inclined to weigh in favor of police using license plate readers. Reinforcing that view, I found that the Berkeley Scanner has a page that is a compilation of its articles for the past several months in which Flock cameras are found to be of benefit.

https://www.berkeleyscanner.com/topic/flock-cameras/
As of 10/12/25 this collection has over 30 articles about how Flock cameras have helped find suspects & criminals.

Here are some:

Berkeley police: Home-invasion robbery suspects in custody
https://www.berkeleyscanner.com/2025/10/10/crime/berkeley-police-home-invasion-robbery-suspects-arrested/

Retail theft suspects busted after return to Lululemon
https://www.berkeleyscanner.com/2025/10/08/crime/berkeley-police-lululemon-theft-suspects-arrested/

DUI hit-and-run of cyclist sees driver arrested
https://www.berkeleyscanner.com/2025/10/09/traffic-safety/berkeley-dui-hit-run-cyclist-driver-arrested/

Human trafficker charged with new Berkeley sex crime case
https://www.berkeleyscanner.com/2025/10/02/crime/human-trafficker-charged-new-berkeley-sex-crime/

Berkeley woman arrested after gunfire on Harmon Street
https://www.berkeleyscanner.com/2025/09/26/shootings/berkeley-woman-arrested-harmon-street-gunfire/

Man, 19, charged with 'bank jugging' robberies in Berkeley
https://www.berkeleyscanner.com/2025/08/29/uc-berkeley-crime/berkeley-robberies-bank-jugging-elijah-simpson/

Richmond police chase into Berkeley sees 1 arrested
https://www.berkeleyscanner.com/2025/08/28/crime/richmond-police-chase-berkeley-crash-arrest/

Armed road rage suspect arrested after Berkeley Flock hit
https://www.berkeleyscanner.com/2025/08/12/uc-berkeley-crime/armed-road-rage-suspect-arrested-flock/

Teens arrested in Berkeley after crash following Flock alert
https://www.berkeleyscanner.com/2025/08/09/traffic-safety/berkeley-teens-arrested-crash-flock-alert/

Berkeley man charged with hit-and-run of father, child
https://www.berkeleyscanner.com/2025/07/12/traffic-safety/berkeley-man-charged-hit-run-father-daughter/

Commercial burglary suspect arrested after Flock alert
https://www.berkeleyscanner.com/2025/07/07/arrests/commercial-burglary-suspect-arrested-berkeley-flock-alert/

Berkeley police stop robbery vehicle after Flock alert
https://www.berkeleyscanner.com/2025/07/01/crime/berkeley-police-robbery-vehicle-flock/

Berkeley police arrest 2 after Flock alert on stolen car
https://www.berkeleyscanner.com/2025/06/12/arrests/berkeley-police-arrest-2-flock-alert-stolen-car/

UC Berkeley stabbing: Suspects 'known for violent crimes'
https://www.berkeleyscanner.com/2025/05/19/uc-berkeley-crime/uc-berkeley-stabbing-men-charged-lawrence-hall-science/

[Margo...@sonic.net]

It all depends on who owns the collected license plate data.
If Flock owns it, they can send it to DOGE or any federal agency or sell
it.
If the local police own it, they can moderate who gets it.
If the readers are so effective, then let the local city police own the
data.

I oppose Flock ownership.

Margot Smith
510-486-8010
510-660-5508 (Text)
Margo...@sonic.net

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