Police departments in Abington Township, Pennsylvania, and Cherry Hill, New Jersey, are removing Flock Safety cameras, according to a report by NBC10 Philadelphia published on October 5, 2026. Both departments cited privacy and data security concerns as reasons for ending their contracts with Flock Safety. This comes as state lawmakers in Pennsylvania and New Jersey consider various proposals to regulate or ban automated license plate reader (ALPR) technology.
Why are police departments removing Flock cameras?
Abington Township Police Chief Patrick Molloy stated that the decision to remove their three Flock cameras was due to "breaches in data and security" by Flock. The township's contract for these cameras was approximately $10,000 annually. Despite ending the Flock contract, Abington plans to continue using ALPRs from Axon, a competitor, which they believe offers greater control over data.
Cherry Hill police are also ending their contract with Flock Safety, which includes 10 cameras, when it expires at the end of the year. The report did not specify the exact reasons for Cherry Hill's decision beyond the general concerns about privacy and data sharing that are part of the broader regional debate.
What does this mean for drivers in the Philadelphia area?
For drivers in Abington Township, the specific Flock cameras previously in use will be removed. However, the township will continue to use ALPRs from a different vendor. This means that while one brand of surveillance camera is being taken down, the presence of ALPRs in the area will persist. Similarly, Cherry Hill's Flock cameras will be removed by the end of the year.
These removals occur amidst a wider discussion about ALPR technology. Privacy advocates, such as the ACLU of Pennsylvania, are pushing for stronger regulations or outright bans on ALPRs, arguing they create extensive surveillance networks that track the movements of innocent individuals. Jay Edgar of Deflock New Jersey also expressed concerns about the amount of data collected and the potential for tracking individuals.
Lawmakers in both Pennsylvania and New Jersey are actively considering legislation that could impact the use of ALPRs. These proposals range from increased oversight and transparency requirements to complete bans. Drivers should be aware that the regulatory landscape for these cameras is still evolving. You can check the FlockDetour map to see known camera locations in your area.
What are the next steps for ALPR policy in the region?
The debate over ALPRs is ongoing. In September, the Philadelphia City Council passed a resolution urging state lawmakers to either ban or limit the use of these cameras. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro has also indicated he would support bipartisan legislation to ban ALPRs across the state. As these discussions continue, more police departments may re-evaluate their use of ALPR technology.