Flock CEO Contradicts Himself on ALPR Video Feature, Clashing with Past Product Announcements
Flock Safety CEO Garrett Langley claims the company's ALPR cameras only capture still images, despite repeated announcements offering video features.
Flock Safety, a surveillance technology company, is under scrutiny after its CEO, Garrett Langley, made contradictory statements about the capabilities of its products. According to a report by Jason Koebler of 404 Media, Langley told local media outlet ABC7 that the company’s automatic license plate recognition (ALPR) system “only captures still images.” However, over the past year, Flock has repeatedly announced plans to provide live video functionality to all ALPR cameras.
Discrepancy Between CEO’s Statements and Reality
Langley’s comments followed the Los Angeles Police Department’s (LAPD) decision not to renew its contract with Flock. Speaking to ABC7, Langley said, “The technology is very simple. A car passes by, we take a photo, and we read the license plate. That’s it.” This statement significantly downplays the capabilities of the company’s products or suggests the possibility that Flock has quietly rolled back a major feature.
Flock Safety has not issued an immediate comment on the matter.
The Timeline of Video Feature Announcements
Flock has actively marketed its live video upgrade over the past year. Sales representatives pitched the feature to municipalities, and the company highlighted it in multiple blog posts, one of which has since been deleted.
Langley himself discussed the feature in an interview with Forbes last year, stating, “You can open five nearby cameras in real-time and see what’s happening right now.”
A blog post published in June last year, titled “Why video is the missing link in your LPR program,” stated, “All existing Flock LPR cameras will soon begin streaming live video and capturing clips through a free optional software update. No new hardware is required. No permissions, no additional costs. The LPR functionality remains with the same lens, angle, and field of view.”
The blog further promised that “fixed live video will be available free of charge on all LPR cameras by the end of 2025.”
Deleted Product Announcement Blog
A now-deleted blog post specifically stated, “LPR cameras will become video cameras,” describing the feature as a transformative step for the nation’s largest LPR camera network.
Bailey Quintrell, Flock’s Chief Strategy Officer, was quoted in the blog as saying, “Flock customers need to do nothing and pay nothing. This is a free software update delivered via the cloud.”
Real-World Police Usage
Text messages obtained through a public records request by Georgia-based activist Jason Hunyar reveal that police officers have already activated this feature. In a January conversation between Flock employee John Watson and a Dunwoody police officer, it was confirmed that live streaming was operational.
When Watson asked, “Is the LPR live stream enabled yet?” the officer replied, “Yes.”
Editorial Opinion
The contradictory statements made by Flock’s CEO directly undermine the company’s credibility. With the LAPD already opting not to renew its contract, other municipalities may follow suit. The discrepancy between sales materials and the CEO’s comments presents a significant concern for procurement officials.
This incident highlights a broader issue in the surveillance technology industry: a lack of transparency. Vendors exaggerating product capabilities to secure sales, only to downplay those capabilities under criticism, erodes trust in the entire sector.
Over the next one to three years, municipalities are likely to implement stricter procurement processes and require third-party verification of vendor claims.
While Langley asserts that “people don’t understand the technology,” the real issue may lie in the disconnect between Flock’s marketing and its leadership’s understanding of the product. The company needs to restore the deleted blog posts and clearly explain the functionality of its products. Additionally, independent audits of the real-world implementation of the video feature, now reportedly active in police departments across the U.S., are indispensable.
References
- “Flock’s CEO Says its ALPRs Don’t Do Video After Repeatedly Announcing They Can”, by Jason Koebler — 404 Media, 2026-07-23T20:12:32.000Z (ARR)
- Source URL: https://www.404media.co/flocks-ceo-says-its-alprs-dont-do-video-after-repeatedly-announcing-they-can/
Frequently Asked Questions
- What kind of company is Flock Safety?
- Flock Safety is a surveillance technology company that provides automatic license plate recognition (ALPR) camera systems. Its cameras are installed on streetlights and utility poles, scanning passing vehicles’ license plates to assist with crime prevention and investigations.
- Why are the CEO’s statements controversial?
- CEO Garrett Langley claimed the company’s ALPR cameras only capture still images, contradicting Flock’s repeated announcements over the past year that all cameras would receive live video capabilities through a free software update. This discrepancy raises questions about the reliability of the company’s product descriptions.
- What impact could this issue have?
- The controversy could erode trust in municipal surveillance camera procurement processes. The inconsistency between Flock’s sales materials and its CEO’s statements may also prompt other cities to reconsider contracts, as seen with the LAPD. Additionally, it could intensify broader industry concerns over transparency.
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