How to Identify a Flock Safety Camera
A field guide to spotting, confirming, and reporting Flock Safety ALPRs in your neighborhood.
Flock Safety cameras are automatic license plate readers (ALPRs) deployed by law enforcement agencies and private communities across the United States. This guide will help you recognize them in the wild, understand what they capture, and report new sightings to our community map.
Quick Reference
Step-by-Step Identification
Look at the pole
Flock cameras are almost always mounted on existing utility poles or street sign posts. Scan poles at intersections and neighborhood entrances — especially those facing outbound traffic lanes.
Check the housing color and shape
The standard unit is a white or light-gray rectangular box, roughly 12" × 6" × 4". It is distinctly boxy compared to round traffic cameras or dome security cameras.
Look for the lens and IR ring
The front face has one or two camera lenses surrounded by a ring of small infrared LEDs (they look like tiny dark dots in a circle). These LEDs illuminate license plates at night without visible light.
Check for the Flock Safety logo
Many units have a small 'Flock Safety' logo or sticker on the side or bottom of the housing. Older or rebranded units may not have visible branding — use the shape and mounting style to confirm.
Note the direction it faces
Flock cameras are designed to capture license plates, so they face oncoming or passing traffic — typically aimed down the road at a slight downward angle, not at pedestrians or buildings.
Report it to the map
Once you've confirmed a Flock camera, drop a pin on our map. Include the street address, mounting type, and any notes about the direction it faces. Photos are especially helpful for community verification.
Flock Safety Camera Models
Flock deploys several hardware generations. Here are the most commonly encountered models.
Flock Safety Standard (Wired)
The most common model. White rectangular box mounted on a utility pole with a power cable running down the pole. Usually paired with a small cellular modem box nearby.
Flock Safety Solar
Battery-powered unit with an integrated or pole-mounted solar panel. Common in suburban neighborhoods and areas without easy power access.
Flock Safety Condor (Multi-lane)
A larger, multi-camera array designed for high-traffic intersections and highways. Captures multiple lanes simultaneously.
Don't Confuse These With Flock Cameras
Not every camera on a pole is a Flock ALPR. Here's what to rule out first.
Red-light / speed cameras
Usually larger, mounted on dedicated poles or overhead gantries, and face the front of vehicles. Often have a visible flash unit.
Traffic flow sensors
Small black or gray boxes that measure vehicle counts and speeds. They do not capture images or license plates.
Ring / Nest doorbell cameras
Residential cameras mounted on homes or fences. Much smaller, typically face driveways or front doors, not roadways.
Utility company equipment
Transformers, junction boxes, and smart meters are also mounted on utility poles. They lack camera lenses and IR rings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Spotted one? Add it to the map.
Every report helps build a more complete picture of ALPR surveillance in America. It takes less than two minutes.
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