St. John Sheriff’s Office uses 50 Flock cameras as privacy debate grows
St. John Sheriff’s Office uses 50 Flock cameras as privacy debate grows
Publish Date: 2026-07-17 17:22:00
Source Domain: lobservateur.com
St. John Sheriff’s Office uses 50 Flock cameras as privacy debate grows
Published 4:21 pm Friday, July 17, 2026
St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office has deployed 50 Flock Safety automated license plate reader cameras, making it one of Louisiana’s largest users of the technology, according to the Atlas of Surveillance.
The AI-powered cameras capture license plates and visible vehicle information, including make, model, and color, to help investigators solve crimes and recover stolen vehicles. Flock Safety says the cameras do not use facial recognition and automatically delete data after 30 days unless it is retained for a legal reason.
While many law enforcement agencies credit the cameras with helping solve crimes, civil liberties advocates have raised concerns about privacy and the growth of a nationwide vehicle surveillance network.
The Institute for Justice has identified at least 24 cases nationwide in which officers allegedly misused Flock camera systems to stalk romantic partners or other individuals, prompting calls for stronger oversight.
Among Louisiana law enforcement agencies, only the Kenner Police Department, with 55 cameras, and the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office, with 54, report larger Flock deployments than St. John Parish.
