Flock Safety’s Camera Contracts Add Up for Local Police Budgets
Public records from more than two dozen cities and towns show how Flock Safety’s license-plate camera and drone services are priced and how costs can grow over time. In Covington, Georgia, annual payments to the company rose from $40,000 in 2020 to $201,000 through August 2026 as the city added cameras and software. The contracts are drawing scrutiny amid criticism of the company’s surveillance practices.
Covington, Georgia’s police spending on Flock grew from $40,000 in 2020 to $201,000 by August 2026. The increase reflected more cameras, maintenance, drone-response enrollment, and new software. WIRED reviewed records from over two dozen municipalities, showing how these agreements can expand over time.
Flock began by selling license-plate readers to homeowner associations before moving into police sales in 2019. That gave departments a path to tap existing private camera networks. Alpharetta, Georgia, paid $17,680 in 2020 for five Falcon cameras and software access; its yearly Flock bill reached $381,000 by 2025.
Residents in cities with these contracts may see growing police technology budgets and expanded surveillance, while local officials could face pressure to justify recurring costs. People interacting with police or living near camera networks may be affected by increased monitoring, though supporters might view the tools as aiding investigations. The scrutiny may shape future procurement and transparency debates.